Yesterday we looked at fear, how it paralyzes us and causes us to stumble and fall. But what was it that actually made the “wicked and lazy” servant so afraid? And what should we learn from it? Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, “Master, I knew you were a [...]

In the parable of the talents the final servant, the one who hides his talent in the dirt, gives his excuse for his failure in clear terms. I was afraid. A simple statement. Here’s your money. I didn’t lose it, at least… Fear makes us do bad things. Unwise things. Wicked things. Often it just [...]

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:21Matthew 25:21English: Contemporary English Version (1999) – CEV21 “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge [...]

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the [...]

That’s a stressful word for most people. It means that you will be held responsible for your actions or labor and will be judged accordingly. It also conjures up images of punishment or rewards. No matter how you feel about that word, it is a very real part of life on every level and even [...]