22010.286 Accountable

“Then another slave came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina that I put away for safekeeping in a piece of cloth. For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ The king said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! So you knew, did you, that I was a severe man, withdrawing what I didn’t deposit and reaping what I didn’t sow? Why then didn’t you put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have collected it with interest?’ And he said to his attendants, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has ten.’” —Luke 19:20–24

The faithful go about their Master’s business with eagerness awaiting His sure return. There is a great deal of work for every Christian to do and there is a need to set about it swiftly, losing no time. At Christ’s ascension He took care to furnish His Church with all things needed until His return.

“He gave to some more, to others less; to everyone according to his own ability. When Divine Providence has made a difference in men’s ability, grace dispenses spiritual gifts accordingly, but still the ability itself is from Him. Everyone has one talent at least, and that is not a despicable stock for a poor servant to begin with. A soul of our own is the one talent we are every one of us entrusted with, and it will find us with work.” —Matthew Henry

“Be careful not to say, ‘My own ability and skill have gotten me this wealth.’ You must remember the LORD your God, for he is the one who gives ability to get wealth; if you do this he will confirm his covenant that he made by oath to your ancestors, even as he has to this day.” —Deuteronomy 8:17–18

Everything comes from God’s hand and is intended for His glory. Sadly, somehow along the way, we have become confused. We must remember that God has a purpose for what He has poured into us. The servant in our verses today forgot that he was accountable to the master.

Become More

The failure of the servant to put his talents to work was an indication of his lack of faith in the master’s response to him upon his certain return. The servant failed to put forth any effort to improve the lot given him. None will be called to account for more than they have received, but for what we have received we will surely be called upon to give an accounting.

“And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” —Hebrews 4:13

Further Reflections

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” —Edmund Burke

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” —Luke 12:40

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *