This sermon is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30.
Advent
At this time of year we are in a season called Advent, which is all about something arriving. Advent preceeds Christmas in the church calendar, hence it is the time of anticipating the arrival of Christ. In fact we anticipate two arrivals: the arrival of Christ in his incarnation and in his return as king. Advent is 7 weeks long. For the first half of this time we think about Christ’s return and what that means for us in how we live as we wait, especially since we have no idea when that will be. In the second half we think about the incarnation of Christ – when he was born a human.
Right now we’re in the first half of advent so we are thnking about living in the light of Jesus’ return. It’s not easy. Paul knew that. A common thread running through his letter to the Thessalonians is ‘encourage one another’. There is a constant need to be on our guard, making sure that, as we wait for Jesus to come back, we live as he wants. Paul expects us to avoid certain types of behaviour. He wants God’s people to stand out from others. It is a tragedy when Christians think and behave in much the same way as anyone else. If we live to please God, rather than just copying what non-Christians do, we are less likely to find ourselves surprised when Jesus comes back.
The talents
Jesus told the Parable of the ‘Talents’ to help his disciples to know how to live between his ascension and his return. The parable is easy enough at face value, but as one delves into it the questions keep coming.
The first meaning of the Greek word talenton is balance or scale; secondary meanings of weight or money derive from the ancient use of balance scales. Money wasn’t only taken on face value, it was measured by its weight. Jesus would have been referring to a Roman coin which, in today’s money, would be equivalent to around $600,000. Yes, talent in the parable refers to wealth. But this was a tangible way of saying the master left something of value in trust with his servants and Jesus would leave something of value in trust with his disciples. This includes: a command to evangelise the world and the Holy Spirit to enable them to do it, along with spiritual gifts and a team to work together on it.
Making use of a gift
In the parable, the first man was given $3M because the master knew he would cope with that much. He went off and used his money well and made $3M more. What did the master say when he came back? ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’
The second man was given $1.2M. He made another $1.2M. And what did the master say to him? ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ We don’t know how these men doubled their money, but they were commended for it.
The master expected the man who was given $600,000 to use his money too. The master knew what the servant could do. This man could have done something with his $600,000, but he didn’t. Was he lazy? Did he think his gift wasn’t good enough? Was he jealous of what the others had? He said it was because he was afraid of his master, in which case he should have had the sense to do something with the money so that his master wouldn’t be angry! By avoiding doing the wrong thing with the money he didn’t do anything right either. The master didn’t get angry because the man tried and failed, but because he didn’t try at all.
Questions
There’s an interesting discussion in the commentaries over the meaning of this parable. One big question: does the master in the story represent God or Jesus? The master in the story is a hard man and a thief and he’s all about making money. So, I conclude no, he doesn’t represent God. Is the parable about the kingdom or about the world? I believe Jesus uses a picture of the world to teach about the kingdom.
The key word is ‘faithful’ (Matthew 25:21,23). God has given us a whole range of gifts, abilities, opportunities, resources, time and much else. The important thing is what we do with them. If we are faithful with all that God has given us, and use all these things for him rather than for ourselves, we will receive his thanks and congratulations. Do nothing with what he has given us and we will find ourselves with nothing.
As you wait for Jesus to return, use your gifts well and faithfully. When Jesus comes back, you want him to say to you, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ It feels great when people say, ‘Well done.’ Imagine what it’ll feel like to hear Jesus say it!
In Principle
The principle behind this teaching is that everything we have has been given to us by God. God wants value from his gifts by us doing the right things with what he has given us. Sure, gifts have no strings attached. We can use them as we see fit. However using what God has given us to benefit others is so much better than using it for ourselves. Money, property, wealth is a particular gift and we all have to rightly use what we have. The Bible has plenty to say about money and material wealth. I gather from Jesus’ teaching that he considers earthly wealth to be God’s greatest competitor for our allegiance, our devotion and our trust for security.
A few comments from the Bible about riches:
Deut. 8:18 Remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to become rich.
Proverbs23:4,5 Be wise enough not to wear yourself out to get rich. Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle. (A number of people in our society know this only too well.)
Psalm 62:10 If riches increase set not your heart upon them.
Proverbs22:2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.
Matt 19:21 If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the source of all kinds of evil.
1 Tim 6:17,18 Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good works to be generous and ready to share with others.
Whether one has a lot of money or only a little, value for God is not spending it on one’s self but sharing it. The same applies to all God’s gifts to his people. Value for God is using them for others.
It has been said that money makes the world go round. The world financial crisis suggests that, today, money just might make the world stop going round. In fact, I am appalled with what is happening in our world, as the rich get richer and fewer and the poor get poorer and there are more of them. I find some sympathy for the person who said, “I know that money won’t make me happy. All I want is enough to prove the point.”
You know, don’t you, that it’s actually love that makes the world go round.
And, in fact, it is love that will get us out of the financial crisis. I find that I share the thinking of those who are occupying Auckland and other cities around the world. Change is needed. The ones holding the wealth need to share it. I hope that this will be achieved by Jesus’ transforming love and not by violence.
Using our gifts while we wait for Jesus
The master in the parable has this in common with Jesus: his return is certain; it’s only the timing that is unknown. The servants have this in common with us: they were expected to work like their master and so are we expected to work like our master.
For Jesus’ followers, faithfulness is emulating Jesus’ ministry. Jesus announced the arrival of God’s kingdom by feeding the hungry, curing the sick, blessing the meek, and serving the least.
All who would follow Jesus are to preach the good news of the kingdom to the whole world (24:14) by going about the work that the master has called them to do (24:24-51). This work includes visiting the sick and imprisoned, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, and feeding the hungry (25:31-46). Those who are found faithful may hear their Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”