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Have I?

Linda Roorda

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There’s a question that’s been at the back of my mind over the years… and it’s a question we’ll all come to terms with some day.  “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”  (Matthew 16:26)

While considering that question, I was reminded of another set of verses:  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matt. 6:19-22

And I asked myself… have I gained worldly assets, worldly wisdom, and stored up treasures for myself which praise my own deeds, or have I used my gifts to meet the needs of others?  God has blessed each one of us with special unique gifts and talents.  Have I used my talents to benefit others, or have I simply set them aside because I’m too busy to reach out to others around me?

Which thoughts all brought me to a parable Jesus told as recorded by His disciple Matthew.  Before the master went on a long journey, he handed out talents (money) to three of his servants.  To the first, the master gave five, the second servant was given two, while the third received only one talent.  The first two put their money to work, presumably in sound investments.  The third was afraid of his tough master, and decided to hide his gift by burying it.  (Matthew 24:14-30)

When the master returned from his long trip, he learned the first servant had doubled his money to a tidy sum of ten talents.  The second servant had done equally as good by doubling their master’s money.  Both were blessed by the master who told each of them, “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!”  (Matt. 24:21)

But the third servant, who did not even put his master’s money into the bank to earn interest, hid it by digging a hole in the back yard to bury the gift.  Needless to say, the master was not pleased with this servant, calling him wicked and lazy, and throwing him outside into the darkness.  (Matt. 24:26-30)  That seems so harsh and so unforgiving!  And I didn’t really understand why!

As I continued to think about this parable as a whole, I realized that our master (our parents, our spouse, our boss at work, but especially our Lord above) is looking for us to use the gifts and talents we’ve been blessed with to benefit those around us.  Only then can we shine the light of God’s love outward through our deeds and into the world around us.  It proves that if we can be trusted in small things, we are worthy of being rewarded with a promotion to care for even greater things. 

At the same time, this parable shows that if we’re lazy and don’t prove worthy of our master’s entrusting us with even an insignificant task, he then has no obligation to us in turn.  By doing nothing, we show we don’t care, that we’re lazy at heart, and are of absolutely no value or benefit to anyone around us, especially the master… our employer, our spouse and family, or our Lord above. 

And then my thoughts went a little further to ponder which servant I want to be.  What have I done with the talents the Lord has so graciously given?  Have I blessed those around me with the same love the Lord has shown me?  And how can I share these blessings with others in the coming new year?  Wishing each of you, my readers, a wonderfully Blessed and Happy New Year!

Have I?

Linda A. Roorda

Have I gained the world to ask at what cost?

With whom lies my heart, to whom goes honor?

Is it my self, an ego to serve,

Or is it with Christ, humble Son of God?

~

Have I offered my heart in service,

And have I given to care for the poor?

Have I shown love while holding the heart

Of someone in need who cannot repay?

~

Have I yet walked the downtrodden path?

Have I then gazed through eyes uncovered

To see the pain within hurting souls

Who plod along, unnoticed, alone?

~

Have I given that others will gain?

Have I let go that which I’ve clutched tight?

Have I traded these worldly riches

For washing of feet and cleansing of stains?

~

Have I felt tugs of heartstrings with tears

An empathy deep to carry burdens?

And have my prayers helped release cares

To the One who holds our soul in His hands?

~

Have I stored treasures upon this earth

That destroy the soul like bitter deceit?

Or have I gained a wealth eternal

With love’s pure gift from our gracious Lord?

~

How precious then is this love unearned

That the One who served should redeem my soul.

He lay down His life that I may arise

To bring Him all praise, glory and honor.

~

Have I then served wherever I am?

And have I shown grace with humble wisdom

That others may see Your love shining bright

From within my heart to the depth of their soul?

~~



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