Matthew 25:21
Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.
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We have all heard about the “parable of the talents”. This parable would tell us that we all should use our God-given “talents” for it would displease God if we “bury them”. But let me share with you another lessons that we can get from this parable. A lesson about doing nothing because of the wrong feeling of fear towards God.
The servant who has one talent would not invest them and even dug a hole in the ground and hid his Master’s money. And what really is the reason? As he pointed out, “I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid…”.
He fears his master, even fearing him more knowing what he can do once he lost that money. Most of us are like this servant. We fear the Lord in the wrong way. We see God as a ruthless God who would drown people in flood or maim people through fires. And so we are all afraid of Him, thinking that once we fail to use our talents or skill, He would make us suffer.
So, free ourselves from fear. Fear of the Lord does not equate to being afraid of Him. This gift fills us with a sovereign respect for God that we avoid sin. But it should not prevent us from using our talents to the betterment of our fellowmen. This is not a fear that leads one to despair, rather it must be coupled with trust, and most importantly, love.
If we fear anything other than God, we are deceived. God is the only thing in the universe worthy of fear. Let us serve God with thankfulness in the ways which please him, but always with reverence and holy fear.
So, are you still afraid?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, if You kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Teach me to be faithful in You, knowing that I can do anything because of You. Amen +
Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
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