What Are You Doing (Matthew 25:14-30)
Gary McManus, 08/01/2021Part of the New Life series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Matthew 25:14-30
A Parable from Jesus
“Thou wicked and slothful servant, . . .”
See Proverbs 18:9 , Proverbs 19:15
or Ecclesiastes 10:18 :
SLOTHFULNESS is one of the seven
DEADLY sins.
With regard to work and ideas like diligence and
slothfulness, the very definition of the word WORK
has changed in our lifetimes.
Farming to industrial/manufacturing to service.
Before the pandemic, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was the lowest since 1969.
The US economy had constant growth for ten years beginning in the middle of 2009.
Now, despite the Pandemic or because of it. . .everyone can get a job.
The pandemic brought job losses but it also brought job changes. Robot Hotels?!
One source said: sloth is the most difficult sin to define. Sloth is the sin of OMISSION—not doing something. “An habitual disinclination to exertion.”
Christian view work as virtuous; helping society,
government and God’s plans on earth.
So. . .inactivity is a sin.
“Idle hands are the devil’s playground.”
The words “slow” and “sloth “ are related.
Sloth has to do with a lack of attention—not caring.
The Old Testament MOSTLY condemns
slothful work or tasks not done, or not done in a
timely manner. See Proverbs 24.
But let’s notice what Jesus was saying. . .
Jesus’ teaching is aimed at us—the followers of Jesus.
Jesus story asks the question?
How did it go while the Master was away?
The servant many consider prudent is condemned
as a wicked sloth!
What is the bag of gold?
The Gospel. . .probably AND MUCH MORE.
Jesus followers have been given the Holy Spirit and
the gifts that come WITH the Holy Spirit:
I Corinthians 12, Galatians 5:22-26.
Sloth ignores the gifts of grace and sloth ignores God’s provision of those same gifts!.
“Trick or treat for UNICEF.”
Jesus is asking. . .how do you respond to what has
been given you. [This is so NOT about money.]
What ARE we doing with ALL that Jesus has given us?
Some day, we shall all be asked.
Jesus’ earthly absence is a time of testing. . .
not a time of resting! See Hebrews 4:1-11.
The effort is not to gain salvation. . .
the effort is to be faithful with all that we have
been given. .
.and in faithfulness, and TO the faithful,
the promised rest comes . Amen.
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