Harsh Words
Scripture: Luke 19:11-27
20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. 21 I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’ 22 “ ‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 24 “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (Luke 19:20-24 NLT)
Some of the harshest words Jesus spoke were aimed at a servant who lived an overly-cautious, “play-it-safe” life. I’ve heard this story of the servants interpreted in several ways: “Work hard and don’t be lazy,” “Make the most of your talents,” “Be a wise investor.” This morning as I read it again, the message to me is very clear, “Don’t fall into the trap of living over-cautiously and becoming complacent.”
I’ve noticed that as I get older I find cautious living more appealing. Jean and I have lived a risk-taking life together for 63 years – business, Vietnam, Jesus-people ministry, planting a church, moving overseas as missionaries with our teenage daughters, developing the Bible Training Centres in Jamaica and the UK, training pastors in Africa with Foundation for Christian Service, serving on the team at Westside Church, caring for pastors, mentoring leaders and serving churches in Central Oregon.
But even with the necessary slowing down that is appropriate to the age and stage of life I’m in at age 83, I wake up each morning thinking that there’s still something significant to be done and I still approach each old-year-end and new-year-beginning asking my Father and Master, “What’s next?!”
How about you? Whatever our age or stage in life, it’s not time for living over-cautiously. The Master is still looking for servants who will go out on a limb! Maybe it’s time for a second childhood, a season of childlike faith!
Prayer:
Father, I determine not to succumb to the pull of gravity – the tendency to exchange go-out-on-a-limb faith for living over-cautiously. Please help me not to become an overly-cautious “play-it-safe” person who won’t go out on a limb for you. I need your help more than ever because it seems like gravity is stronger these days. Jesus, if it’s really you, call me to come to you by walking on the water! Amen.