My Daily Journal:
What do your actions say about what you truly believe? I found it interesting the steward who had been given one talent very interesting. He said he believed one thing, but the returning master looked not only at his statement but at his actions.
This steward had a very negative view of the master. He paid no attention to the master’s investment, his work, his land, his seed, his housing room and board, his servants, his provision. He couldn’t see beyond the reach of his own hands. ‘You are not out in the fields sowing or scattering the seed, yet you expect part of the harvest.’ To this steward, his self dialogue was that the master was a “hard man”, someone to fear. But the master called him on that. If that is what he truly believed, then he would have at least taken steps to put the money in the bank. This steward’s statement of belief was a lie. It had nothing to do with the master and everything to do with his self justification. The man was simply wicked and lazy. But it is easier and more satisfying to blame the master than to take ownership of his own character.
How many do the same today? I can’t believe in a God who… If that is what God is then… But this truly has nothing to do with God, no more than the third steward’s statement had to do with the master. It is simply a way of shifting responsibility, avoiding accountability. It didn’t work then and I have a feeling it isn’t going to work any better when we face Jesus.
Turning to the other stewards (5 and 2), I found their lack of negotiation and commission very telling of their view of the master. Both had earned a 100% ROI. Although the master was away for a long time, that is still a huge profit margin. But when the master returned, every penny was turned over to the master. No negotiation, no reimbursement of fees and expenses.
This tells me of their complete faith and trust in the provision of the master. The best thing they could do was hand it all back to the master. They didn’t try for “what is fair”, they trusted that the joy and blessing of the master would far outweigh “fair”. And, at the end of each tale, that is exactly what we see. Both receive promotions. Both are invited to share fully in the master’s happiness. This happiness was far greater than the sums of money, it was in the value of finding a faithful servant. Anyone who has worked in management knows the value of a faithful employee is far greater than the return on any one investment they may have managed. I think the trust of these servants speaks volumes to the true nature and character of the master!
My Answers:
6.
a.
Prov 3: wisdom to gain understanding, nothing physical is more preciousMatt 13: teacher of law who is a disciple brings out treasure both new and old
Matt 28: go make disciples, baptizing, teaching
John 1: Himself, His son, His light, to receive Him and become children of God
John 13: an example – do as He has done for me
John 21: Love Him and work to do; care for and feed His sheep
2 Tim Scripture: teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
b.
Gift of BSF, bible, church, story telling, children to lead and teach and a blog with a readership that compares to some of the largest churches
7.
5 Talent: According to his ability – went at once and put money to work, gained 5 more, brought all 10 to master, received praise and shared in joy
2 Talent: Same as 5 – faithful with few, put in charge of many, come and share in master’s happiness
1 Talent: Resentment of master, reap where don’t sow, “afraid”, the 1 take from him, sent out, gnashing of teeth
8.
a.
wicked heart – resentful
b.
repaid for times of hardship with plenty
c.
My past few years in BSF and church – the joy of seeing the bounty in our children
9.
Whoever has will be given more – whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken. If you value you, you must invest it.
The Notes are Good 