Pentecost XXVI, Cycle A

“A Risky Business”

November 17, 2001

The Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel

Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Lessons:  Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18;  1 Thessalonians 5:1-11;  St. Matthew 25:14-30

     One more week, and we will be out of these lessons about the end of time, and into the warm, fuzzy season of Advent!  At least, Advent is more warm and fuzzy than this time of the year called, Kingdomtide, when each week, the lessons have sounded what can only be described as a rather harsh, unwavering, unbending call to faithful discipleship.  The reason for that, of course, is that the Sundays and their lessons during this season of the church year aim to call us to obedience, as we live in this in-between time between Jesus’ ascension and His return in power and glory for the last judgement.  The call is to wake us up, and keep us mindful of the fact that during this time, we are not to sit on our hands, comfortably, complacently looking towards the sky—but are to be busy with the work of the kingdom.  We are to have our lamps lit, have plenty of oil, as we do the work that Jesus has given us to do.  And what is this work?

     In our gospel lesson today, Jesus reveals something about what we are to be about, as we wait for his second coming.  In some of the parables Jesus tells, the connections are obscure, and it can be hard getting at his meaning.  But that’s not the case today, when it is clear, perhaps painfully clear, what Jesus means.  In this parable, the kingdom of heaven, Jesus says, is like a man who, going on a journey, called his own servants and entrusted to them his possessions—his money, talents, to use the ancient word, not talents as we think of them, but coins equal to six thousand days wages.  He distributes the coinage to different servants according to their ability—one five, another two, and still another receives only one.  And then, the man goes away.  The man, obviously, is Jesus; his journey represents the absence of Jesus after his resurrection and ascension, and his return, is his final coming.  The servants are Jesus’ disciples who are entrusted with, “talents”, until Jesus’ return.  Now, if there is one unfortunate connection in this parable, it’s that we normally connect the talents, in Jesus’ parable, with abilities and skills.  Not that the meaning of this parable can’t be expanded to include the use of abilities and skills--talents in our current usage, but it’s just too easy for us modern Christians to seek to protect our money and possessions, by convincing ourselves that Jesus doesn’t really mean money here, but abilities and skills—time and talent, not just treasure.  The temptation is always there for us modern Christians, who want to keep what we have, thank you very much, to interpret, or re-interpret Jesus’ words about money, into something more palatable—so that we can go right on complaining, “this preacher talks about money too much—you know, Jesus never talked about money!”  Many Christians today would very much like to believe that, and indeed, have convinced themselves of it wholeheartedly!  But the fact is, Jesus talked about money, a lot!  Because Jesus knew, as he says in St. Matthew 6, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Jesus knew that if you looked at how a person used their money and possessions, you would discover how they viewed their relationship with God.  And, Jesus tells us, it’s the same with disciples.  Jesus teaches us time and again, as disciples, we are called to view all that we have, as a gift from God;  we are to understand that we have merely been entrusted with income, bank accounts, investments, home and possessions.  They are not ours, to do with as we please.  Every decision we make regarding our income, wealth and possessions, should begin with the question, “What does God want me to do with this, to further His work in the world?”  The first question should not be, “How can I increase this so that I will have more money for myself?”  The first question should not be, “How can I make this grow, so that I will be more secure and financially comfortable?”  The first question should not even be, “How much do I have to give to God, and how much can I keep for myself?”  The first question, with regard to the disciple’s income, savings account, investments, and possessions is, “What does God want me to do with this—to further His work in the world?”  That’s what this parable is about—and it’s first and foremost, about money!  It’s first and foremost, about the money that Jesus has entrusted to me, and to you, until He comes again.  This parable is first and foremost about this wallet, and this checkbook, that on a day to day basis, I think of as mine, but which is really, just on loan to me, until Jesus returns.  And what Jesus is challenging me, and you to ask is, “How can I be a good steward of this wallet and this checkbook?”  And what is Jesus’ answer to this question?

     Isn’t it odd, in a sense, this answer of Jesus?  Odd, because he seems to be encouraging us to take risks, with his money.  Some of us, surely, would applaud the servant who was given the one coin, who was conservative with Jesus’ money, buried it for safe-keeping, and returned it, no more, but no less, when the owner returned.  And yet, this servant lost the one coin that was given to him, and finally, he was thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!  That, is surely something of a reversal, and not something we would expect, from Jesus, in particular.  But the message Jesus is sending is clear—he’s not advocating risk-taking, for our own sake—he’s not advocating taking all our money to Las Vegas, just so that we’ll be rich, rich, rich!  But he is advocating using what we’ve been given, to further His work, in the world today.  He is advocating taking some risks, with His money, to further His mission and ministry.  And what does that risk-taking look like, for the disciple?

     Well, let me put it this way.  Every time Susan and I write a check to this church, we’re taking a risk, in Jesus’ name.  One might consider reducing the risk, putting ten percent of one’s income into a special kingdom bank account, to be handed to Jesus upon His return.  That would be risk free—but then again, the one who did that was considered a worthless slave.  Because Jesus is calling us to risk, writing that check to His church each week, in spite of the fact that it’s handled by other disciples, who may or may not handle it as you wish.  But hey, it’s not your money to begin with.  So, take the risk, invest your money, in Christ’s church.  And then, as Christ’s church, let’s risk using that money, again.  Seven years ago, when we opened our Children’s Center, we took a great risk with our money—a risk many congregations aren’t willing to take.  We spent $30,000 just to get our Children’s Center operational—at a time when we didn’t really have $30,000.  But we took the risk, to provide ministry in Jesus’ name, to these little ones of His, and to their families, struggling so desperately to raise healthy children in an unhealthy world.  And then, we took a great risk five years ago, when we set out to build a million-dollar church building, that would serve as an exciting new mission center in Jesus’ name—not knowing whether we could build it, or pay for it—but taking the risk, because what Jesus wants, is for us to use what’s been entrusted to us, for mission and ministry.  And the same risk is there when we send our offerings in to the ELCA, trusting it will be used for mission and ministry around the world;  we take the same risk when we send our offerings to support our nurse missionary in China, though we have no control over how the money is used;  we take the same risk when we give food from our pantry to those who say they’re in need, and when we give gifts to the World Hunger Appeal, though we don’t really see where our dollars end up.  It is a risk, to give money to mission and ministry—but the alternative, is to be safe, and bury our coins—and risk, being but worthless slaves.  Because worthy slaves, are willing to risk, giving ourselves away;  are willing to risk, giving away, our money, for the glory of God.  Because worthy slaves are willing to risk, giving away, our time, our abilities, our skills—for the glory of God.  Because just as surely as Jesus will return—Jesus will also ask for an accounting, of what we have done with what we’ve been given, and why!  And when that time comes, we hope to hear, not, “throw this worthless slave into the outer darkness”, but, “well done, good and trustworthy servant!”