SERMON - Kingdom 3

Jesus continues to tell parables about the kingdom of heaven – and today he continues with the parable of the talents. In the previous parables, he has told us that we need to be prepared for the Second Coming at all times. Christians have taken it to mean that diligence in carrying out one's responsibilities is essential for more important tasks in the future.
A master, before leaving on a journey, entrusts his slaves with his money, “each according to his ability” (v. 15). Two servants invest the money and earn more (vv. 16, 17); the third simply buries it (v. 18). When the master returns (v. 19), he praises the investors; they, he says, will be made responsible for “many things” (vv. 21, 23), and will “enter into the joy of your master”. But the third slave, admitting that he was afraid of his master’s wrath (v. 24), simply returns the original sum (v. 25). The master chastises him for his wickedness and laziness. This slave loses what he has been given (v. 28) and is condemned to “outer darkness” (v. 30). This would have caused a stir in Jesus’ day, for a rabbinic maxim commends burial of money as a way of protecting it. I suppose in the current financial climate, it is probably safer to bury money, so the parable could be confusing for us.
But this parable is about the kingdom of heaven, so what is it teaching us? “Weeping and gnashing of teeth” (v. 30) is a stock phrase for condemnation of the wicked at the Last Day. God both rewards generously and is a stern judge. He expects us to be good stewards of his gifts and we will be commended and rewarded for faithfully carrying out his mission.
There are some other interesting things about the parable Firstly, in Verse 15: The phrase “to each according to his ability” has led, in modern languages, to the use of the term talent for gift, aptitude and flair – so this really is the parable of the ‘skills’ if you like.
The second interesting thing is the phrase “After a long time”: Perhaps this is an indication that Christ’s second coming will not be within the lifetimes of those who knew Jesus during his earthly life. I have always wondered about this, because it was clear that the early church believed that Jesus would come again before they had all died.
The third thing I find rather important for us as Christians today is found in Verse 21: “trustworthy”: Here the meaning of the Greek word includes not only being honest, but also believing and risk-taking. There is the clear statement that we should use our God given talents to make the kingdom of God a reality, and not be put off by the way things are.
In the reading from Zephaniah , judgement is looming for the people of Jerusalem – They have said to themselves: “The Lord will do nothing, neither good nor bad.” They hold a belief in a god who is not involved or seemingly interested in life or creation - a sort of sleeping God.
So what are the readings saying to us? Well, it would be tempting to preach about money, but it isn’t as simple as that. The parable is about two attitudes: of those who pass on what they have received from God, and of those who keep for themselves what the Lord wanted to give them. In addition, the focus of the parable is in the criticism of the attitude of the servant who buried the money. Hiding things is not an option.
In the parable, the man going on a journey could well be Jesus ascending into heaven, and those left, entrusted with the riches are us.
We are given, according to our aptitudes, talents to help grow and nurture the faith – we are expected obtain growth and whether the conditions are good or bad, to keep plodding on – to bear witness to life. That’s what Paul means when he tells us to keep awake. The first two servants did just that, and their hard work produced fruit.
The third servant is, of course, in his own world. This might be a metaphor for those people who have faith, but choose to stop it from making any real difference in their lives. We know this is something that affects the greater proportion of people who say they are Christians.
It’s about making goodness grow in church communities, and in our lives – and stopping all those things which kill goodness – things like division, suspicion, idolatry and selfishness. We must make the best use of the brief space left to us (and our talents) before the Lord comes.
Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?
Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
Henry Van Dyke
At the Assembly in School this week, the children sang one of their favourites – it’s called MAGIC PENNY – and it’s about sharing what we have been given…
Magic Penny
(Malvina Reynolds)

Love is something if you give it away
Give it away, give it away
Love is something if you give it away
You end up having more

It's just like a magic penny
Hold it tight & you won't have any
Lend it, spend it & you'll have so many
They'll roll all over the floor, for

It is undoubtedly the heart of the parable – and the children understand it, and so should we.
In the letter to the church at Thessalonica – Paul is dealing with this very issue. He is concerned that the “Children of Light” will be caught out – sleeping on the job - he advises his readers to “build up” each other, to support each other spiritually.
The parable of the talents is teaching us that the joy of faith, as well as our own joy, is best nurtured in an active Christian faith – based on grace, courage and concern for others, rather than on formality, self-protection and fear.
Let’s build each other up as a church, and invest the good news wisely in our hearts and the hearts of our neighbours.