In the second and the penultimate part of the Series on the Biblical equivalent of the Nobel Prizes story, the parable of talents, today we shall focus on three more lessons derived from said Parable….
“No” Delay…
“The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.” (Matt 25:16 NIV)
No procrastination. Not for the most faithful servant. Put simply, the secret behind his success was his explosive start off the blocks. Taking the Master’s assignment seriously, he went about in right earnest straightaway.
Say Christian, is the indwelling Holy Spirit prompting you to send a mail of encouragent to someone? Is He asking asking you to pray for someone? Or for that matter, He may be inspiring you to share your Gospel-based testimony with a friend or colleague. Do not delay! Jump at it with the speed of a lightening bolt….
“No” More Delay…
“…the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.” (Matt 25:19 NIV)
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (Rev 22:12 NIV)
Let’s take the “Word” (another name for Christ — SeeJohn 1:1) at His Word. On the subject of signs preceding the rapture of the church, didn’t He also say, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man…” (Luke 17:26 NIV)? What was conspicuous during Noah’s time? “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence…” (Gen. 6:11 KJV). Violence and corruption for you, ladies and gentlemen!
To borrow Aussie slang, even Blind Freddy knows that media reports are full of violent events, for not a fortnight passes by without a bomb blast/terror attack in some part of the globe!
“Kolaveri” (remember the old famous Tamil number of 2011 fame), very much seen everywhere!
Now please do not blame Nobel for this veri for kola. By the way, “kolaveri” in Tamil means rage to kill.
And corruption scandals (Wikileaks or no Wikileaks)? They regularly keep exploding in the process, rocking the Parliament proceedings in our country. Boom boom….Satyam… CWG scam… Adarsh housing…2 G Spectrum… Obalapuram Mining…Boom boom…
“…You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (Matt 16:3 NIV)
On Earth, violence and corruption scenarios would deteriorate from bad to worse during the seven year tribulation, till His Kingdom comes and His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven (SeeMatt. 6:10). So things would worsen before they get better.
Boom…“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1 Cor. 15:51-52 NIV). Hey! a trumpet blast (See also1 Thess 4:12-18)! Post rapture, for Christians (1 Peter 4:7), there would be a time — in Christian parlance known as Bema Judgment time — when their service rendered for the Master would be tested and each one would be given whatever is due to him: “If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.” (1 Cor 3:14 NIV). So let’s complete all pending works sincerely and keep serving Him passionately in order to hear only those words and nothing else: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matt. 25:23 NIV)
“No” Success, No Problem…
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things…” (Matt 25:21 NIV)
Wheelchair runners in marathons usually finish last, but the biggest cheers are reserved for them. Why? Is it an acclamation of their running skills? No! The appreciation is for making a statement of their character of perseverance. Ditto the same in the Heavenly realm.
The parable of the talents blasts another myth that God rewards only the successful. No! His rewards are for the perseverant lot who toil faithfully with the talents they have got. Note the words of appreciation of the Master, at the time of rewarding, He doesn’t say “Well done, my successful servant”, but rather: “Well done, good and faithful servant“ (Matt. 25:21 NIV)!
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos? What is it they have in common? They were all Old Testament, pre-exilic prophets. Did they succeed in their ministry of making the idolatrous Israelites of their generation repent? No! But they went about their tasks faithfully, guaranteeing for themselves rewards from the One who duly rewards all who have “…fought the good fight…finished the race…kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7 NIV).
Prayer: Father, we are so encouraged by the fact that You always look at the sincerity of our efforts rather than the results. Enable us to strive faithfully for Your glory always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
Hyderabad-India
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “Biblical Nobel Prizes-Of Patent, Latent and Talent!” mini-series, please clickhere.)