What's Yours Is His.

Every now and then, a pastor preaches and during the preaching an atmosphere of conviction falls over the congregation. This phenomenon occurred in both services this past Sunday. Scripture records the optional responses for one who is "cut to the heart": either they repent, as in the case of those who heard Peter's sermon (Acts 2:37); or they revolt, as the religious leaders did in response to Stephen's sermon (Acts 7:54). I am mentioning this because today's blog reflects on money, and I have seen otherwise calm Christians get really upset when their financial stewardship is brought into question. So if that's you getting mad in the back row, just relax and embrace the conviction. God is trying to help us all get with His program of giving.

The parables of Matthew 25 are loaded with monetary references. The wise and foolish virgins had to spend money to be appropriately attired and to obtain the extra oil they needed while waiting for the Bridegroom. The parable of the sheep and the goats indicates that the commended individuals made financial sacrifices in offering food, drink, shelter, provision, and visitation to strangers in need.

The parable of the talents, however, is the one most overtly concerned with financial stewardship. For years I thought that "talent" referred to some sort of artistic or spiritual gifting/grace, and that "money" was a euphemism for the skills we have been given by God. I later found out that a talent was a weight, and that the substance being weighed (usually silver or gold) carried monetary value. The original readers and hearers of the Matthew 25 parable would have immediately understood the talent as a financial entity.

But we are trying to understand this in twenty-first century life. So, let's pretend that the master gave you a talent of gold, and that he gave it to you on Tuesday. If a talent weighs approximately seventy-five pounds, and the master gave you a talent of gold which on Tuesday carried a trade value of about $800 per ounce, then the monetary value of that talent would be about $960,000. Wow. What will you do with his money while he tarries? Does it make a difference to you whether you are stewarding $20 or $2 million?

We can recall the commendation that Jesus gave to the widow who gave all she had into the temple treasury. And some of us know the story of Hudson Taylor, who raised his tithe to 90% and left a legacy of excellent business strategy and extravagant giving to God. I have to ask again, and I have to include myself: what will we do with His money while He tarries? Lord, help us to handle your money in such a way that we are able to demonstrate financial excellence and deliver substantial returns to You- not just for your commendation, but because we love You.