The conclusion of
this week’s sermon was an encouragement to “unhand the talents” in the parable
Jesus tells in Matthew 25: 14-30. (Insert
“Frozen” theme song here… “let it go, let it go!”) [You can find a link to the audio recording
by clicking here.] The premise being that the traditionally
maligned Steward #3 who in fear buries his talent in the ground has exactly the
right reaction to the life represented by the “talents.” Finding the life ruled by talents as defined in
the rule of the harsh businessman/landowner, Steward #3 recognizes it for the
sham it is, and chooses instead to invest himself in the life of God as
described by the scriptures—allowing himself to be punished and kicked out of
the rich man’s world.
Where the rich man
“reaps where he did not sow and gathers where he did not scatter seed”—expecting
interest where he did not invest and demanding spoils generated by other’s work—Almighty
God is described for us in the scriptural witness as providing water from
sources where the people do not work for it, as granting harvests from fields
where the people did not plant or tend them.
God, as contrasted with the wealthy businessman/landowner, gives
generously expecting no payment in return, defined instead by jubilee
forgiveness of debt and instructions to the faithful to “harvest badly” by
leaving much to be gleaned by the vulnerable and needy. God’s GENEROSITY always trumps the human
hoarding and greed so often taken up in order to try and protect ourselves and
our wealth. Unlike the world, I’m
convinced that in heaven the streets may be lined with gold but there is no
money to delude us!
So I suggested
that the life God calls us to is a life of “unhanding the talents.” That we should see the challenge of the
parable not as the fool’s errand of trying to gain more and more—hoarding—but rather,
as the invitation for us to boldly and faithfully give away—generosity. Sharing and hoarding cannot go together; one
is always exclusive of the other. The
parable’s judgment is aimed at our right judgment about God—that God is loving,
benevolent, kind, that God is our salvation not our demise.
So I believe we’re
called emulate Steward #3’s understanding or view of God—but not that the only
response is to bury our money in the ground!
No, in fact I believe we can make better use of our wealth by
approaching the parable with the view toward giving away in love rather than
trying to make more wealth on top of more wealth. When we see the challenge of giving away, of
sharing—it transforms the story to show us the goodness of God!
So here are some
suggestions of how to “unhand our talents” by planting them in a life that
demonstrates our commitment to the Kingdom of God.
- We can “unhand our talents” by sharing generously with a food pantry—planting our wealth literally in the true need of others. And we should challenge ourselves to share more—not just at church, but in support of other food drives in the community. There’s been some scrutiny about food pantries giving away “sweet treats;” ask if you can provide desert items like cake or brownie mixes rather than prepackaged cookies. People who need food deserve something dessert, too!
- We can choose to give sacrificially—supporting our church or other causes by giving up something else we normally participate in. This is often suggested for Lent (giving up), but it works well any time of year. Try giving a tithe (a full 10%) on what you receive in holiday gifts; or try giving a full tithe of your income during this special season with so many opportunities to give and share with others. Out do yourself in extra giving!
- Commit yourself to some extra giving you wouldn’t ordinarily think about. Supporting local a museum or library—or other projects of “public good.” There’s public radio or television, or other beneficent foundations—like giving to research causes that help fight disease.
- Winter’s coming. We know already people will need coats, scarfs, mittens, hats, and warm socks, to combat the elements. Take advantage of a seasonal bargain and provide extra. Or give a little extra by planting some leftover Halloween candy down in the gloves or socks or hats—or in the pockets of the coats with a little note taped to it about why it’s there.
- Your whole family’s coming over for Thanksgiving? Ask each person to bring an item needed for a disaster clean-up bucket.
- Need something worthwhile and humanitarian to do on Black Friday? Take your family on a “scavenger hunt” for sale items needed for a disaster relief kit or bucket. Turn a day of greed into a life-saving gift!
- Use the Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends to work on hand-made projects that can be used as Christmas presents. Avoid the “Black Friday Greed” by working on old-fashioned, hand-crafted gifts that show your love—not just your ability to retrieve a bargain ahead of someone else.
These kinds of
ideas we’ve all heard of before. But
they invite us to consider the many ways we are well-to-do, and even ask us to
put our ordinary lifestyle “at risk” to demonstrate God’s love for us and
others. The point is for us to truly
seek the ways we can hoard less and share more.
Where we emulate not those who greedily want more and more and more, but
those who SHARE more and more and more.
Where we entrust ourselves to the love of God that Jesus teaches. Where we seek to live it out by divesting of
hold habits, seeking to live transformed realities.
I believe the
third steward, the one with the one talent and who buries it in the ground, is
the one who trades the life of the world for the life of God. Trades the oppression of Rome for the freedom
of God’s Kingdom. We’re called to live
like him, willing to give it all away—like Jesus. Knowing that when we do, God is there to love
us through and through.
© Rev. David Stipp-Bethune; Teaching Elder and
Pastor, The Presbyterian Church of Llanerch, Havertown, Pennsylvania
