The Law of Sowing and Reaping:
"...Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal.6:7.
Jesus illustrates good and bad
Stewardship in Matt. 25:14-2
Here is Jesus' "righteous" plan for investing your money, life or spiritual gifts to the best possible gain, benefit or harvest. Jesus never once used an evil or flawed example (parable), of which God did not approve, to illustrate a spiritual truth. This "inspired" parable, about our investing, was given to His disciples as an example of what He expects of all of His Stewards, and everyone is a Steward. It is akin to the law of sowing and reaping, whether it be money, spiritual gifts or the way we spend our lives. There is a definite economic, as well as a primary, spiritual lesson here.
For the kingdom of heaven IS AS a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
(This illustration alludes to our Lord's giving or lending spiritual gifts, talents, abilities and resources as well as the Great Commission, to His disciples just prior to His final ascending departure back into heaven).
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (Each of us has a different level of ability within various talents).
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. That is called "Free Enterprise Investing".
If these were silver shekel talents this man would have been responsible for investing a fortune of his master's money. That much money is called Capital.
A capitalist is a wealthy person who uses money to invest in trade or finance industry for profit in accordance with the principles of capitalism. The mass production factory system was created by 19th century capitalists.
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (Unused talents, time, spiritual gifts, money and other resources)
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (Second Coming of our Lord in the day accounting ... reckoning).
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained
beside them five talents more. That is called "profit".
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: (Accused his Master of Capitalism)
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: ( His Master Confirmed he was a Capitalist)
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers (interest), and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury (Interest). Matt. 25:14-27.
So, for heaven's sake, stop criticizing, out of jealousy, people who work for their income and invest it wisely for gain or profit. The same goes for jealous criticism of those who invest their spiritual gifts or lives for spiritual increase. Each of us has talents and spiritual gifts differing from those of others. Use your gifts, talents, time and treasure to the best advantage... wisely, for the Lord who loaned them to you expecting you to invest them for Him. RB
