Let’s explore the spirit of the laws of land rest and jubilee found in the Old Testament. These are laws that even good Christians will object to, because we are too selfish to even contemplate them.
An agricultural sabbath was mandated for the whole of the seventh year (Leviticus 25:2-7, 20-22) and a jubilee was mandated for the whole of the fiftieth year (Leviticus 25:10-12). The seventh year of release involved the forgiveness of debts.
Every seven years you must announce, “The Lord says loans do not need to be paid back.” Then if you have loaned money to another Israelite, you can no longer ask for payment. (Deuteronomy 15:1-2 CEV)
The jubilee involved the setting free of “slaves” (apprentices, indentured servants, debtors, thieves and war criminals), and returning of family farmlands.
“The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me. With every purchase of land you must grant the seller the right to buy it back. If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and is forced to sell some family land, then a close relative should buy it back for him. If there is no close relative to buy the land, but the person who sold it gets enough money to buy it back, he then has the right to redeem it from the one who bought it. The price of the land will be discounted according to the number of years until the next Year of Jubilee. In this way the original owner can then return to the land. But if the original owner cannot afford to buy back the land, it will remain with the new owner until the next Year of Jubilee. In the jubilee year, the land must be returned to the original owners so they can return to their family land.” (Leviticus 25:23-28 NLT)
Imagine why these laws were disobeyed and will never be obeyed by any nation in this modern world. It’s clear why even good Christians do not want to hear about any kind of national adoption of similar laws. Banks would hate it if such wonderful laws were enacted today. Billionaires would have to give back farms they had accumulated. This is redistribution, not into government hands as in a socialist world, but into private hands. In economics, this is called jubilism, or jubilee economics.
Are there principles of equality of pay, equality of distribution of national wealth, and yet also equality of opportunity for those who are willing to work hard within the spirit of these wonderful laws? The jubilee laws are balanced out by other laws regarding rewarding the diligent and not rewarding the lazy.
What about the Canaanites? Didn’t God dispossess them of their land? How is that just? We must remember two things: God is always just, and the Canaanites were dispossessed of their land because of abominable national practices such as forcing girls into ritual temple prostitution and child sacrifice. What about aboriginals in Canada, the USA and Australia? How should we deal with them? Those are much more complicated issues and not as simple as the Canaanite example.
What about billionaires, farming corporations and state cooperatives owning incredibly large farms in some countries? Whether it is in a free country or a dictatorship, this is an injustice that would not exist under jubilee laws. But, we will not see any such changes until Christ returns, where individual private ownership will be ubiquitous.
“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.” (Micah 4:3-5 NIV)
What should a Christian do about this? I’m always amazed at how generous the homeless are and how stingy the rich can be. Jesus did not give us the privilege of hard-heartedness towards the poor.
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger [foreigner] or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:44-46 NKJV)
Laziness is a minor cause of poverty, but always the excuse used by the stingy not to give. Poor education, fatherless families, domestic abuse, minorities, children, immigrants, female-headed households, loss of job, declining wages, poor education, fathers leaving, having children and disability are major causes of poverty. Our job is to relieve the suffering.
Human laws may not bring justice but we can. An example is the most famous Christian outside of the Bible, Nicholas of Myra, who was loved by many in his time and those who read his story today. Though he was very wealthy, he spent his life giving it away and touched the lives of thousands. He saved many from financial ruin, helped out in disasters, defended people in court from false charges, provided food during famines, saved children from slavery, travelers from murder and prayed and saved sailors from shipwreck. The real Saint Nicholas is loved because he made crooked roads straight and rough ways smooth (Luke 3:1-6). Shall we?
Nicholas was born of wealthy Christian parents in what is today southern Turkey. It was a Greek area at the time. He followed Jesus’ comments to a wealthy young man (Matthew 19:16-30) to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. He spent the rest of his life doing just that and is known for his generosity to those in need. One story tells of his providing a dowry for three daughters who, without it, were bound for a life of sexual slavery. Little bags of coins were tossed in a window landing in stockings and a shoe, giving rise to several Christmas traditions. As we think of making crooked roads straight and rough ways smooth in preparation for Christ’s coming (Luke 3:1-6), it is good to follow a wonderful example of giving like that of Saint Nicholas.
We may not be able to change national laws and make them perfectly just, redistributing agricultural land back to small privately owned family farms, but every Christian has the opportunity to relieve the suffering of the poor and oppressed even in small ways. We may not be in agriculture with the opportunity to let our farmland rest, but we can contribute to letting the people of our land rest from worries of poverty and oppression, even with a small gift.
Showing posts with label Matthew 25. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew 25. Show all posts
Jesus Indicts the World
Prelude: Have we been walking right past Jesus without recognizing Him?
Purpose: Let’s find Jesus.
Plan: Let’s look at the Judgment of the Nations in Matthew 25:31-46.
Sheep and Goats
Matthew 25:31-34 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
The judgment seat is here called the Throne of His Glory. It is judgment of all the nations, not just the Church. The judgment is: how all nations handled human suffering. Do we see suffering people as brothers and sisters like Jesus does? Jesus Christ is Savior of the world.
Sheep are gentle and quiet. Goats are not as easily herded, they stink, and bully the sheep. They are not predators, so may flock with the sheep for separation later. That’s what Jesus will do at the judgment. So, selfish and stinking people can stay in the church until then.
The Needy
Matthew 25:35-36 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
Do we see Jesus in the poor and needy, the suffering of Jesus in the hungry and thirsty, being rejected as a stranger, and naked on the cross? Do we see Jesus in the suffering, anxiety, pain, rejection, loneliness and depression of a prisoner? Jesus suffers with all who suffer.
Matthew 25:37-40 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
We are not saved BY good works (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5), but FOR good works (Ephesians 2:10). A living faith is accompanied by good works (James 2). Dead faith is just a show, not accompanied by good works. Faith that saves shows love to our neighbor.
Depart
Matthew 25:41-43 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
Jesus is with us always (Matthew 28:20, John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 3:17). We sit with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5-6). Jesus came to the poor and needy and served them. Identifying with them He said, “I was” the needy.
Social Gospel
Matthew 25:44-46 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The terms “social gospel” and “social justice” are an indictment of Christian extremes, those who “love” their neighbors but disobey God and those who claim to love God but neglect the needy. Good deeds light up the world (Matthew 5:13-16) and we ought to love God AND our neighbor.
Research: Causes of Poverty[1]
Overpopulation, deficient distribution methods, rising costs, poor education, unemployment, underemployment, environmental degradation, individual responsibilities, medical costs, sickness, greed, the cost and devastation of war, natural disasters, industrial changes, recessions, discrimination, pregnancy out of wedlock, disability, crime and unjust incarceration, immigrant status, and gang presence cause poverty. People without a high school diploma are 3-5 times more likely to be poor. Fatherless families are 3-4 times more likely to be poor. Two thirds of disabled people are unemployed. Domestic abuse victims are twice as likely to be unemployed. Women, minorities, children, immigrants, the disabled and female-headed households face far greater poverty rates. Christians ought not to just blame the victim, but do something!
Righteous National Leadership
Psalm 72:4, 12-14 … He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor… For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight…
Is caring for the needy an individual or national responsibility? The Messiah’s reign is a standard for all national leaders.
Ezekiel 34:4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.
Ezekiel condemns evil national leaders. What is our society’s collective responsibility towards the needy? What kind of a barbaric society refuses to defend the poor, the life of a helpless unborn baby, or distressed and homeless immigrants? Do we see in the needy an inconvenience or do we see Jesus?
Amos 2:7; 4:1; 5:12; 8:4 They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way … Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!” … oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts … rob the poor and trample down the needy
Amos gives a dire warning to any nation which would trample and shove the oppressed, making excuses for greed and selfishness while the poor suffer, taking bribes and depriving the poor of justice in the courts, robbing the poor and trampling down the needy. Such nations are cursed by God.
We are disappointed with human governments. Monarchs became rich and made people serfs. Democracies are hijacked by monopolies. Atheistic Communist predators become billionaires. The ideologies may be different, but human systems have one thing in common: the strong bully the weak. Jesus says He will come back and bring justice.
Postlude: Jesus identifies with the poor and marginalized. Do we identify with the needy as Jesus does? When we do, we have found Christ.
Most Bible quotes: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
*Amos quotes: Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
[1]Rynell, Amy. CAUSES OF POVERTY: Findings from Recent Research. The Heartland Alliance. Mid-America Institute on Poverty. 2008.
Purpose: Let’s find Jesus.
Plan: Let’s look at the Judgment of the Nations in Matthew 25:31-46.
Story: Disaster Response
A fellow pastor helped after a national disaster. Some crews repaired church buildings, packed up and left, a woeful example. His crew stayed to repair people’s lives, not just buildings. Matthew 25 prioritizes the needy over buildings. The street is also a holy place, where Christians truly live the Gospel.
A fellow pastor helped after a national disaster. Some crews repaired church buildings, packed up and left, a woeful example. His crew stayed to repair people’s lives, not just buildings. Matthew 25 prioritizes the needy over buildings. The street is also a holy place, where Christians truly live the Gospel.
Sheep and Goats
Matthew 25:31-34 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
The judgment seat is here called the Throne of His Glory. It is judgment of all the nations, not just the Church. The judgment is: how all nations handled human suffering. Do we see suffering people as brothers and sisters like Jesus does? Jesus Christ is Savior of the world.
Sheep are gentle and quiet. Goats are not as easily herded, they stink, and bully the sheep. They are not predators, so may flock with the sheep for separation later. That’s what Jesus will do at the judgment. So, selfish and stinking people can stay in the church until then.
The Needy
Matthew 25:35-36 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
Do we see Jesus in the poor and needy, the suffering of Jesus in the hungry and thirsty, being rejected as a stranger, and naked on the cross? Do we see Jesus in the suffering, anxiety, pain, rejection, loneliness and depression of a prisoner? Jesus suffers with all who suffer.
Matthew 25:37-40 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
We are not saved BY good works (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5), but FOR good works (Ephesians 2:10). A living faith is accompanied by good works (James 2). Dead faith is just a show, not accompanied by good works. Faith that saves shows love to our neighbor.
Depart
Matthew 25:41-43 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
Jesus is with us always (Matthew 28:20, John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 3:17). We sit with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5-6). Jesus came to the poor and needy and served them. Identifying with them He said, “I was” the needy.
Social Gospel
Matthew 25:44-46 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The terms “social gospel” and “social justice” are an indictment of Christian extremes, those who “love” their neighbors but disobey God and those who claim to love God but neglect the needy. Good deeds light up the world (Matthew 5:13-16) and we ought to love God AND our neighbor.
Research: Causes of Poverty[1]
Overpopulation, deficient distribution methods, rising costs, poor education, unemployment, underemployment, environmental degradation, individual responsibilities, medical costs, sickness, greed, the cost and devastation of war, natural disasters, industrial changes, recessions, discrimination, pregnancy out of wedlock, disability, crime and unjust incarceration, immigrant status, and gang presence cause poverty. People without a high school diploma are 3-5 times more likely to be poor. Fatherless families are 3-4 times more likely to be poor. Two thirds of disabled people are unemployed. Domestic abuse victims are twice as likely to be unemployed. Women, minorities, children, immigrants, the disabled and female-headed households face far greater poverty rates. Christians ought not to just blame the victim, but do something!
Righteous National Leadership
Psalm 72:4, 12-14 … He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor… For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight…
Is caring for the needy an individual or national responsibility? The Messiah’s reign is a standard for all national leaders.
Ezekiel 34:4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.
Ezekiel condemns evil national leaders. What is our society’s collective responsibility towards the needy? What kind of a barbaric society refuses to defend the poor, the life of a helpless unborn baby, or distressed and homeless immigrants? Do we see in the needy an inconvenience or do we see Jesus?
Amos 2:7; 4:1; 5:12; 8:4 They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way … Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!” … oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts … rob the poor and trample down the needy
Amos gives a dire warning to any nation which would trample and shove the oppressed, making excuses for greed and selfishness while the poor suffer, taking bribes and depriving the poor of justice in the courts, robbing the poor and trampling down the needy. Such nations are cursed by God.
We are disappointed with human governments. Monarchs became rich and made people serfs. Democracies are hijacked by monopolies. Atheistic Communist predators become billionaires. The ideologies may be different, but human systems have one thing in common: the strong bully the weak. Jesus says He will come back and bring justice.
Postlude: Jesus identifies with the poor and marginalized. Do we identify with the needy as Jesus does? When we do, we have found Christ.
Most Bible quotes: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
*Amos quotes: Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
[1]Rynell, Amy. CAUSES OF POVERTY: Findings from Recent Research. The Heartland Alliance. Mid-America Institute on Poverty. 2008.
Heaven's Investment
Prelude: What does God expect us to do with what Heaven has given us? Why hasn’t God given to us all equally?
Purpose: Let’s see what God expects us to do with Heaven’s investment.
Plan: Let’s look at the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
Talents
Matthew 25:14-15 “[For the kingdom of heaven is] like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Who is this given to? This investment is not given to everyone in the world, but to “his own servants.” Are these talents natural abilities? No, they are an investment given “according to” ability. Why does God not give to everyone equally? God gives heavenly investment capital according to ability.
What is a talent? It was a weight of gold or silver. The Athenian or Attic talent was once about 26 kilogram (57 pounds) weight of silver, or about fifteen year’s of their wages. Even the one talent guy was entrusted with great responsibility.
Profit
Matthew 25:16-17 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
What does God require? This is a loan from God, for good or evil. Heaven’s investment brings great responsibility. How much return on investment are we giving God? To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:41-48). Spiritual and material investments given by heaven, have a godly purpose.
Non-Profit
Matthew 25:18-19 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
There are bad gambles with terrible odds, like lotteries, most Casino games and jumping into anything without preparation. There are good gambles, like preparing for a business, savings accounts or planting crops. Jesus took a calculated gamble in us. One man was afraid and buried the money entrusted to him.
Well Done
Matthew 25:20-23 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Is equal pay for lazy and diligent employees, productive and unproductive workers fair? God invests in us differently. Yet those who do well are all told, “Well done...” In any church some have less and some have more, whether in spiritual or material assets. How are we investing it for God?
Fear
Matthew 25:24-25 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
Jesus does not want us to take the safe route. It is a risk to share the Gospel. People may hate us, abandon us or believe and be saved. Jesus is not meant to be buried but shared. He wants us to take risks and grow Heaven’s investment in us.
Unprofitable
Matthew 25:26-30 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
We are not saved BY good works (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5), but FOR good works (Ephesians 2:10). Spiritual laziness is not okay. It is wickedness. Rather than to waste time and allow an evil, slothful heart to enter us, let us be about our Lord’s business.
Diverse Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all
Postlude: God has entrusted us with a heavenly investment. Let’s not bury it, but work diligently to increase its kingdom value.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Purpose: Let’s see what God expects us to do with Heaven’s investment.
Plan: Let’s look at the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
Talents
Matthew 25:14-15 “[For the kingdom of heaven is] like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Who is this given to? This investment is not given to everyone in the world, but to “his own servants.” Are these talents natural abilities? No, they are an investment given “according to” ability. Why does God not give to everyone equally? God gives heavenly investment capital according to ability.
What is a talent? It was a weight of gold or silver. The Athenian or Attic talent was once about 26 kilogram (57 pounds) weight of silver, or about fifteen year’s of their wages. Even the one talent guy was entrusted with great responsibility.
Profit
Matthew 25:16-17 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
What does God require? This is a loan from God, for good or evil. Heaven’s investment brings great responsibility. How much return on investment are we giving God? To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:41-48). Spiritual and material investments given by heaven, have a godly purpose.
Non-Profit
Matthew 25:18-19 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
There are bad gambles with terrible odds, like lotteries, most Casino games and jumping into anything without preparation. There are good gambles, like preparing for a business, savings accounts or planting crops. Jesus took a calculated gamble in us. One man was afraid and buried the money entrusted to him.
Well Done
Matthew 25:20-23 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Is equal pay for lazy and diligent employees, productive and unproductive workers fair? God invests in us differently. Yet those who do well are all told, “Well done...” In any church some have less and some have more, whether in spiritual or material assets. How are we investing it for God?
Fear
Matthew 25:24-25 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
Jesus does not want us to take the safe route. It is a risk to share the Gospel. People may hate us, abandon us or believe and be saved. Jesus is not meant to be buried but shared. He wants us to take risks and grow Heaven’s investment in us.
Unprofitable
Matthew 25:26-30 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
We are not saved BY good works (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5), but FOR good works (Ephesians 2:10). Spiritual laziness is not okay. It is wickedness. Rather than to waste time and allow an evil, slothful heart to enter us, let us be about our Lord’s business.
Diverse Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all
Postlude: God has entrusted us with a heavenly investment. Let’s not bury it, but work diligently to increase its kingdom value.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Come Meet Jesus
Prelude
Have we ever wanted Jesus to show Himself? Would we like to meet Jesus? Have we been walking right past Jesus without recognizing Him?
Purpose: Let’s find Jesus in the needy.
Plan: Let’s look at the Judgment of the Nations in Matthew 25:31-46, the Parable of the Sheep and Goats.
Story: Disaster Response
A fellow pastor was involved in church relief after a national disaster. He noticed large crews repairing church buildings. Then they packed up and left. The pastor’s team stayed on to repair people’s lives not just buildings. Repairing church buildings while people outside are hungry, thirsty, in need of clothing, in need of hospitality, sick, and in need of a caring visit is a woeful example. Can we even call that Christianity! Is it time for the Christian Church to repent? Does Matthew 25 tell us that Jesus identifies more with the needy than our holy places? Is the street then also a holy place, where Christians truly live the Gospel?
Matthew 25:32 Sheep and Goats
In Matthew 25:32 Jesus describes the judgment of the nations “as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” Sheep farming is intensive work, but sheep are easier to work with because they are gentle and quiet. Goats are more independent and not as intensive work. But, they are not as easily herded as sheep, and they stink. Goats will domineer and often butt sheep out of the way to reach food. However, they are not harmful predators like wolves, so they may flock together to be separated later. Is that exactly what Jesus will do at the judgment? Can selfish and stinking people stay in the church for now?
Matthew 25:37 Living Faith
What kind of faith saves, a dead or a living faith? James 2 teaches that a living faith is accompanied by works, not works of the law, but good deeds. Dead faith is just a show, not accompanied by good works. How can anyone claim to have faith that saves without showing love to neighbor! In Matthew 25:37 the righteous asked Jesus, “Lord, when did we see You…?” Those “righteous” didn’t even know they had fed and clothed Jesus. Could it be that their motive was love for God and their neighbor and not earning salvation by works? Could it be that such good works are evidence of living faith?
Does the Parable of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25) teach salvation by works? By the washing of regeneration, we were born from above. The Holy Spirit transforms our lives by giving us participation in God’s loving nature. As Christians we are sanctified by faith (Acts 26:18) and by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Good works are evidence of a sanctified life (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7) and faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Saving faith is alive with the bright light of good works (Matthew 5:16) including helping the needy. Works don’t save us. They are visible evidence of a living faith.
Matthew 25:35-36 Seeing Jesus
In Matthew 25:35-36 Jesus identifies with the suffering, saying, “I was… hungry… thirsty… a stranger… naked… sick… and… in prison…” Do we see Jesus in the poor and needy of the world? Do we avoid them? Do we see the suffering of Jesus in the hungry and thirsty? Do we see the prophesied Messiah rejected as a stranger by His own people? Do we see Jesus’ nakedness on the cross in those with little clothing? Do we see the One who took all our diseases in the sick? In the suffering, anxiety, pain, rejection, loneliness and depression of a prisoner do we see Jesus? Jesus suffers with all who suffer.
Matthew 25:42-43 Finding Jesus
Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is with us always (Matthew 28:20, John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 3:17) and we sit with him, spiritually speaking, in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5-6). He is in our worship, prayers, fasting, tithes and offerings. Matthew 25 describes other places to find Jesus. During His earthly ministry, he was often found among the least, the lost and the last. Jesus came to the poor and needy. He was born in impoverished circumstances, lived an itinerant life without fixed abode and served the sick and poor. In Matthew 25:42-43 Jesus identifies with them saying, “I was” the needy.
Matthew 25:40 The Throne of His Glory
In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says, “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Jesus calls people in all nations His brothers and sisters. The judgment seat here called the throne of His glory (Matthew 25) is elsewhere called the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15). It is judgment of all the nations, not just the Church. The judgment is: how nations handled human suffering. Do we see suffering people as brothers and sisters like Jesus does? Do we have hearts of charity? Jesus Christ is Savior of the world. Do we also save the suffering as we are able?
Matthew 25:44 Social Gospel
In Matthew 25:44 Jesus describes those who ignore the needy: “inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” Charity is often called the “social gospel” focusing on “social justice.” Good deeds light up the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Good works involve deeds of charity such as feeding and clothing the needy. This so-called “social gospel” is part of loving our neighbor in action. The concept of a “social gospel” is used by some as an excuse to abandon other teachings of the Bible and by others as an excuse for disobeying the command to love our neighbor.
Research: Causes of Poverty1
Overpopulation, deficient distribution methods, rising costs, poor education, unemployment, underemployment, environmental degradation, individual responsibilities, medical costs, sickness, greed, the cost and devastation of war, natural disasters, industrial changes, recessions, discrimination, pregnancy out of wedlock, disability, crime and unjust incarceration, immigrant status, and gang presence cause poverty. People without a high school diploma are 3-5 times more likely to be poor. Fatherless families are 3-4 times more likely to be poor. Two thirds of disabled people are unemployed. Domestic abuse victims are twice as likely to to be unemployed. Women, minorities, children, immigrants, the disabled and female-headed households face far greater poverty rates. Christians don’t just blame the victim, but do something.
Psalm 72 Messianic Leadership
Is caring for the needy an individual or national responsibility? A king represents national leadership and Psalm 72 refers to the Messiah’s reign, a standard for all national leaders. It says, “He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor” (verse 4) and “He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.” (verses 12-14)
Ezekiel 34 National Leadership
Did Jesus say anything about welfare, immigration, healthcare and prisons? Christianity is political. Jesus’ discussed ancient universal principles of politics. Ezekiel 34 condemns evil national leaders. “The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.” (verse 4) What is our responsibility towards the needy? What kind of a barbaric society refuses to defend the poor, the life of a helpless unborn baby, or distressed and homeless immigrants? Do we see in the needy an inconvenience or do we see Jesus?
Amos’ Warning*
Amos gives a dire warning to any nation which would “trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way.” (Amos 2:7) Excuses are hollow justifications for greed and selfishness. The selfish feast. The poor suffer. The selfish “oppress the poor and crush the needy,” saying, “Bring us another drink!” (Amos 4:1) Does the national family “oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts” (Amos 5:12)? Amos warns those that “rob the poor and trample down the needy” (Amos 8:4). Such nations are cursed by God. Amos echoes Matthew’s message (Matthew 25) to relieve the poor.
Psalm 100 Our Coming King
We are disappointed with human government. Democracies curtailed royal excesses, striving for something better. But, democracy cannot change men’s hearts, and society’s predators continue their dastardly work. Atheistic communism also failed, as predators took party control and became billionaires. The ideologies may be different, but human systems have one thing in common: the strong bully the weak. Jesus says He will come back and bring justice. At that time we will “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.” We will, “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100)
Postlude
Jesus identifies with the poor and marginalized. Do we identify with the needy as Jesus does? When we do, we have found Christ.
Most Bible quotes: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
*Amos quotes: Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
1Rynell, Amy. CAUSES OF POVERTY: Findings from Recent Research. The Heartland Alliance. Mid-America Institute on Poverty. 2008.
Well Done!
Prelude
What does God expect us to do with what Heaven has given us? Do we take risks using our gifts or hide them for safekeeping? Why hasn’t God given to us all equally?
Purpose: Let’s see what God expects us to do with our gifts.
Matthew 25:15 Talents
Why does God not give to everyone equally? In Matthew 25:15 we read that a man gave to his employees unequal amounts, “to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one.” It may be helpful to understand that all human systems are capitalist. Even atheistic Communism is a form of capitalism, whereby party members make capital on the rest. In any system, greed and oppressing the poor are not righteous capitalism. The talents in the parable are spiritual capital. Kingdom capital should be used to show love. Those who are given the most are expected to produce the most spiritually in loving God and our neighbors.
What is a talent? In Matthew 25:15 we read of an employer about to leave on a long journey, who entrusted talents to different employees, “to each according to his own ability.” A talent was a weight of gold or silver. The Athenian or Attic talent was once about 26 kilogram (57 pounds) weight of silver. Today’s spot silver price is about $545 per kilogram, a little over $14,000 for a talent. Another way to measure a talent was about fifteen year’s wages. If this year’s average household income is $60,000 then a talent could be $900,000. Even the one talent guy was entrusted with great responsibility.
Matthew 25:16 A Divine Obligation
What does God require of those with the most? In Matthew 25:16 we read that, “he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.” Wealth is on loan to us from God. Those with the most also have the greatest capacity for doing good or evil. Material and spiritual wealth bring with them greater responsibility. Who among us has been given the greatest talents, wealth, abilities or spiritual gifts? How much more can such people show God’s love? To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:41-48). Whether they be spiritual or material talents, their purpose is to love others.
Matthew 25:18 A Low Risk Investment
Is all gambling wrong? In Matthew 25:18 employees were given five, two and one talents to invest, “But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.” He didn’t want to take a gamble. Farmers, job-hunters and entrepreneurs all take calculated risks. There are stupid gambles where the odds are terrible, like state lotteries, most Casino games and jumping into business with inadequate preparation. There are also calculated gambles, like starting a business after thorough preparation, interest on savings or planting a crop. Jesus took a calculated gamble in us. One man took the safe route and buried the money entrusted to him.
Matthew 25:20-23 Equality
What does God say about equality? Is equal pay for lazy and diligent workers fair? Is it right to base pay upon ability, diligence and results? In Matthew 25:20-23 we find that God invests in us differently. Yet those who do well are told the same words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Bible passages indicate a double share of inheritance for firstborns (Deuteronomy 21:17) and a double honorarium or pay for diligent preachers (1 Timothy 5:17). None of these indicate God’s support for gross excesses.
Here are questions for discussion: Is heaven a society of equals or different abilities and levels of responsibility? If the spiritually productive are good and faithful, are the spiritually unproductive lazy and evil? Is the safe route sometimes a road to failure? Does fear often produce failure? Does faithfulness in small things lead to greater things and does unfaithfulness bring failure? Should we waste time criticizing a boss as too hard, or just get on with the job? Do spiritually successful people just get down to work? Do those who produce more deserve more? Does the extra talent awarded to the most successful promote greed or their greater capacity to love?
Matthew 25:25 Risky Christianity
Does God expect us to take risks? In Matthew 25:25 a man who was given money to invest, confessed, “I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.” A common practice in ancient times, before banking became common, was to bury money in the ground. It was a safer route. Jesus does not want us to take the safe route with His investment in us. It is a risk to share the Gospel with others. They may hate us, abandon us or believe and be saved. Jesus is not meant to be buried but shared. He wants us to take risks and grow Heaven’s investment in us.
7 Churches Different Rewards
Compare the Parable of the Talents to the words of Jesus to the 7 churches of Revelation 2-3. Overcomers in Ephesus have rights to the tree of life. In Smyrna they will not be hurt by the second death. In Pergamon they receive hidden manna and a special reward. In Thyatira they receive power over nations. In Sardis they are dressed in white and listed in the book of life. In Philadelphia they are pillars in God’s temple. In Laodicea they have positions at the throne with Christ. Some receive eternal life, others rule nations, serve in the temple or at the very throne of Christ based upon what they overcame.
Postlude
It’s very appropriate that we call the gifts God has given you and me, our talents. Let’s not bury them. We are happiest when we are using our God-given talents to spread God’s love.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Thanksgiving: Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Sermon: Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:41-48; Deuteronomy 21:17; 1 Timothy 5:17; Revelation 2-3
Watchfulness
Prelude
What must we do to prepare for Christ’s Coming? Should we closely follow world events, research prophecy and draw up wildly speculative timelines? Is there something spiritual that we should be looking at in ourselves?
Our purpose is to learn how to prepare for His Coming.
Matthew 25:1-2 Bridesmaids
Who are the bridesmaids? In Matthew 25:1 we read, “the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” Traditionally, the bridegroom prepared a home for his bride. When it was ready, this groom came for his bride at midnight. The virgins or bridesmaids were to light the procession with their lamps as the couple went to be married. The picture in verse 2 is that “five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” The bridegroom has prepared to be with the woman he passionately loves, the Church. Who has their lamps ready to join the wedding procession?
Matthew 25:3-4 Oil
What’s the oil for? In Matthew 25:3-4 we read, “Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” Olive oil fueled lamps in the temple (Numbers 4:16). It was for baking holy bread and holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:22-31; James 5:14) and in numerous sacrifices. It symbolizes the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13). The five foolish virgins gave inferior offerings. With no fuel for their Christian lamp they were neglecting the light of good deeds (Matthew 5:14-16). Blessed is the one who is awake and spiritually clothed (Revelation 16:15).
Matthew 25:5 Delay
How do we deal with Jesus’ delay? In Matthew 25:5 we read, “while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.” We don’t know when Jesus will come for us. A Rabbi said we should repent the day before we die. His students objected that we don’t know when that day is. He replied, “All the more reasons to repent today, lest you die tomorrow.” How long will we put off necessary spiritual preparations for the kingdom of heaven? How long will we persist in unrepentant sins, hoping to repent later? How long before we act upon the Gospel message by approaching the throne of mercy in heartfelt gratitude?
Matthew 25:6 Midnight
Are we ready for Jesus? In Matthew 25:6 we read, “at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’” In earthquake and hurricane zones preparedness means tougher building codes. In tornado and wildfire zones it means tornado-proof or fire-proof structures and underground shelters. Financial preparedness means being ready for health crises, unemployment and old age. Educational preparedness means that we are ready for the needs of the job market. In dangerous times preparedness means protection at our doors. Jesus also addressed the idea of preparedness. He will return in power and when he does will we be among the wise who are ready?
Matthew 25:8 Sustaining Light
Why do we sometimes find that “our lamps are going out” (Matthew 25:8)? We need fuel, the help of the Holy Spirit, to sustain the light of good works. In acts of piety we go to the source that sustains our acts of charity. We “buy” oil through prayer, Bible study, church attendance, good morality, resting in Jesus, etc. The heavenly oil we receive sustains our love to neighbor in practical ways, without burning out (Matthew 5:13-16). This is explained more at the end of Matthew 25. Spiritual burnout is an ever present danger. The more we shine in acts of charity, the more we need that replenishing oil.
Matthew 25:9 Buy for Yourselves
While we wait for Jesus to return, what should we be doing? In Matthew 25:9 the unwise virgins with no oil were told, “go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.” We need oil before Jesus returns, because when he comes it will be too late. We need the oil of joy (Hebrews 1:9), of healing (James 5:14) of the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13)? The Holy Spirit plays a central role in the life of any Christian. Luther believed the oil pictures faith. The end of the chapter encourages good works. The light of good deeds is sustained by the oil (Matthew 5:13-16).
Matthew 25:10-12 Shut Out
Are we spiritually ready for Jesus? In Matthew 25:10-12 we read, “those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.” People are locked out of the wedding. The bridegroom tells them he does not know them. Spiritual preparedness cannot be delegated. We cannot borrow spiritual oil from others. Each of us can only prepare for ourselves. How many of us are not spiritually prepared because we have been thinking we could borrow righteousness from someone else?
Matthew 25:12 I Don’t Know You
If Jesus does not know us what can we do? In Matthew 25:12 Jesus told the five foolish bridesmaids, “I do not know you.” We get to know each other by spending time with each other. Do we make every effort to know God and allow him to know us? What are some ways that we can allow God to get to know us? We may think of things like prayer and Bible study. That is a partial answer, but the the parable is only an appetizer. To answer the question in context, we need to read to the end of Matthew 25. That is a sermon for another day.
Matthew 25:13 Keep Watch
Can we rest in Jesus and also keep watch? In Matthew 25:13 Jesus concludes the parable of the bridesmaids with, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” To some, keeping watch means hysterically awake, watching world events and predicting the end of the world. But, the wise bridesmaids slept. Matthew’s account of keeping watch seems to imply being ready even while we rest in Christ. The spiritual preparation in this parable implies an individual duty that nobody else can do for us. It is a readiness that involves knowing God, or more precisely, God knowing us, and readiness.
Postlude
The two imperatives for us in this text are having spiritual oil and that our God Jesus knows us. Wise virgins are ready and watchful. He may come for our souls sooner than we think. Let’s prepare today, so that when Jesus comes for us, we may be found ready.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Matthew 25:1-13; Numbers 4:16; Exodus 30:22-31; James 5:14; 1 Samuel 16:13; Matthew 5:14-16; Revelation 16:15; Hebrews 1:9; James 5:14; 1 Samuel 16:13
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