Matthew 25:14-15, 24-27
Growing up, I was never the kind of kid who really enjoyed rollercoasters. I was not a thrill seeker or adrenaline junkie by any means. I tried to stay as far away from potential danger as possible. I remember being terrified of amusement park rides because they felt daunting and scary. Part of me knew they were perfectly safe, and there was no real risk, but I was overwhelmed with fear at the thought of them.
Maybe you’re like me and try to avoid any possibility of risk. If that’s the case, you might find the reality of risk in God’s economy difficult to accept. Much of the Christian life often feels risky. I’ve learned throughout my life that God often doesn’t deal in absolutes or guarantees, instead He offers opportunities to trust Him in new ways that often feel scary. With each new opportunity, faith and trust in the Lord and His plan are grown and strengthened. In the midst of these seasons, the fear and anxiety that things could go wrong are genuinely real. This passage got me thinking a lot about fear.
The fascinating thing about this particular servant and his one talent is that his perception of the master and his lack of understanding of the master’s true character is what compels him to act the way he does. My hunch is if this servant really knew the character of his master and the way that he would respond, he would’ve done the same as the two servants that precede him in this parable. The servant knew pieces of what the master was like, but he didn’t have a relationship with him. His mindset is if he ensures that his master’s money is safe, no harm is done and no consequences will follow. However, his master is not concerned with the money itself, he’s concerned with what the servants do with it.
Deciding to trade and invest the master’s money with the bankers feels like a risky move. Choosing to be obedient to what God is calling us to do also feels risky most of the time. What we might forget, is that there’s truly no risk where we cannot lose. If the author of our stories is calling us into something new, we can trust that He knows how the story plays out.
Kassie Lowe
YA Women’s Intern / Modern Worship Leader