WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING
THERE WAS UNREST IN JUDEA. IT WAS MARCH 13, 4 B.C. TWO POPULAR RELIGIOUS TEACHERS, JUDAS AND MATTHAIS HAD RALLIED THEIR STUDENTS TO REMOVE A GOLDEN EAGLE THAT HAD BEEN PLACED OVER THE ENTRANCE TO THE TEMPLE. TO THEM IT REPRESENTED IDOLATRY, WHICH HAD NO PLACE IN GOD’S HOUSE. FOR THEIR ACTION, THE TEACHERS, ALONG WITH THEIR PUPILS WERE BURNED ALIVE.
IT WAS INTO THIS SETTING THAT HEROD ARCHELAUS TOOK THE THRONE. HIS TROOPS RESPONDED TO THE ANGRY CROWDS BY KILLING THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE.
THE UPRISING STOMPED OUT, ARCHALAUS HEADED TO ROME FOR CORONATION BY EMPEROR AUGUSTUS. DURING HIS ABSENCE, RIOTS CONTINUED. ARCHELAUS’ TROOPS WERE UNABLE TO COPE WITH THE UNREST, SO THE ROMAN GOVERNOR OF SYRIA INTERVENED. TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE CRUCIFIED.
IN A UNITED EFFORT, JEWS AND SAMARITANS APPEALED TO ROME THAT ARCHELAUS SHOULD BE DEPOSED.
JESUS USES THIS HISTORICAL EVENT AS A BACKDROP FOR HIS PARABLE IN LUKE 19:12-27
NOTE THE PARALLEL, READ VERSES 12-14.
“JESUS SAID TO THEM, A CERTAIN NOBLEMAN WENT INTO A FAR COUNTRY TO RECEIVE FOR HIMSELF A KINGDOM AND TO RETURN. SO HE CALLED TEN OF HIS SERVANTS, DELIVERED TO THEM TEN MINAS, AND SAID TO THEM, ‘DO BUSINESS TILL I COME.’ BUT HIS CITIZENS HATED HIM, AND SENT A DELEGATION AFTER HIM, SAYING, ‘WE WILL NOT HAVE THIS MAN TO REIGN OVER US.”
DESPITE THE OUTCRY OF THE PEOPLE THE MASTER IS GIVEN THE KINGDOM.
CONTINUE READING IN VERSES 15-27.
THIS PARABLE MAY SOUND SIMILAR TO ONE WE ARE MORE FAMILIAR WITH. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS FOUND IN MATTHEW 25:14-30.
THERE ARE MANY SIMILARITIES:
A MASTER WHO TRAVELS TO A FAR COUNTRY, SERVANTS LEFT IN CHARGE OF SUMS OF MONEY, AN EXPECTATION FROM THE MASTER THAT THE MONEY WILL BE INVESTED, AN ACCOUNTING UPON THE MASTER’S RETURN. THE PARABLE INVOLVES SERVANTS WHO WERE GOOD STEWARDS AND ONE WHO WAS SLOTHFUL.
THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL DIFFERENCES:
IN MATTHEW, THE MASTER CALLS 3 SERVANTS.
IN LUKE, 10 ARE CALLED.
IN MATTHEW, THE SERVANTS RECEIVE 5, 2 AND 1 TALENT RESPECTIVELY (A TALENT WAS WORTH OVER 16 YEARS WAGES).
IN LUKE, THE SERVANTS EACH RECEIVE 1 MINA (WORTH 3 MONTHS WAGES).
THE PARABLE IN LUKE ALIGNS THE REPUTATION OF THE MASTER MORE CLOSELY WITH JEWISH HISTORY THAN MATTHEW DOES.
IT SEEMS PLAUSIBLE THAT THESE ARE TWO SIMILAR ACCOUNTS TOLD ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BY JESUS, RATHER THAN TWO AUTHORS RETELLING THE SAME STORY.
IN LUKE’S PARABLE, WE FIND A CALL TO INTEGRITY BY THE MASTER.
HE IS GOING ON A LONG JOURNEY…THERE IS NO SPECIFIC RETURN DATE. EACH MAN IS GIVEN 3 MONTHS WAGES TO INVEST AND TO MAKE A PROFIT ON.
ALL OF THIS IS DONE WITHOUT THE MASTER’S SUPERVISION. HE IS TAKING A RISK. HE TRUSTS HIS SERVANTS TO BE GOOD STEWARDS AND MANAGE HIS MONEY WISELY.
THIS MORNING I WANT TO POSE THREE QUESTIONS?
THE FIRST ONE IS:
1. WHO ARE YOU WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING?
I REMEMBER AN INCIDENT IN 4TH GRADE THAT HAPPENED WHEN THE TEACHER LEFT THE ROOM. FOUR OF US “RENEGADE” BOYS DECIDED TO PICK ON ONE OF OUR CLASSMATES. HE WAS VERY THIN AND HAD EARNED THE NICK-NAME “RUBBER-BAND”. THE NAME WAS FIRST COINED ON THE KICK-BALL FIELD WHERE HE WOULD TRY TO CATCH THE BALL—BOBBLING IT IN THE AIR AS HIS BODY CONTORTED INTO ALL KINDS OF STRANGE POSITIONS—ONLY TO END UP DROPPING THE BALL. AS THE TEACHER LEFT THE ROOM, THE FOUR OF US HEADED OVER TO “RUBBER-BANDS” DESK. WE PULLED HIM FROM HIS SEAT AND EACH ONE OF US TOOK HOLD OF A LIMB. WE THEN BEGAN TO PULL TO SEE HOW FAR WE COULD STRETCH HIM. AT THAT MOMENT, A WOMAN APPEARED IN THE DOORWAY. IT WASN’T THE TEACHER, IT WAS “RUBBER-BANDS” MOTHER. WE WERE SO STARTLED, WE DROPPED HIM TO THE FLOOR.
WE THOUGHT NO ONE WAS LOOKING AND WE COULD GET AWAY WITH IT…NOT SO.
WHEN IT COMES TO STEWARDSHIP AND OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES…SOMETIMES WE DO THINGS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS THAT DON’T REFLECT FAITHFULNESS.
I THINK OF THE VIDEOS I’VE RENTED THAT WERE WASTE OF GOD’S MONEY.
OR, THE HIGH CREDIT CARD INTEREST I’VE PAID TO BANKS BECAUSE OF MY INDULGENCES.
PERHAPS PAYING HIGHER RATES FOR A TRIP BECAUSE I DIDN’T PLAN AHEAD.
MONEY SPENT ON AN ITEM THAT WAS HARDLY USED AND IS NOW COLLECTING DUST.
WASTED DOLLARS ON BANK FEES DUE TO BOUNCED CHECKS—BECAUSE OF A FAILURE TO BALANCE THE CHECKBOOK OR SLOPPY BOOKKEEPING.
WHO WE ARE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS WATCHING, INDICATES WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GOOD STEWARDS.
A COUPLE WENT INTO A CROWDED FRIED CHICKEN FRANCHISE & ORDERED A PICNIC BOX TO GO. IN THE RUSH OF BUSINESS A CLERK ACCIDENTALLY HANDED THEM THE PICNIC BOX IN WHICH THE MANAGER HAD HIDDEN THE DEPOSIT HE WAS ABOUT TO TAKE TO THE BANK. FEARFUL OF BEING ROBBED, HE HAD CAMOUFLAGED THE DEPOSIT.
THE MAN PAID HIS BILL, TOOK THE PICNIC BOX, & THEY DROVE AWAY. BUT WHEN THEY GOT TO THE PARK & OPENED IT, THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS FULL OF MONEY. AND THEY KNEW THAT A BIG MISTAKE HAD BEEN MADE. NOW FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE A GREAT TEMPTATION. BUT THIS COUPLE GOT BACK IN THE CAR, RETURNED TO THE RESTAURANT, & GAVE THE MONEY BACK.
WELL, YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW HAPPY THE MANAGER WAS TO SEE THEM! IN FACT, HE WAS SO GRATEFUL THAT HE TOLD THE MAN, “STICK AROUND, I WANT TO CALL THE NEWSPAPER & HAVE THEM TAKE YOUR PICTURE. YOU’RE THE MOST HONEST MAN IN TOWN.”
OH NO, DON’T DO THAT!” HE SAID. “WHY NOT?” ASKED THE MANAGER. “WELL,” HE SAID, “YOU SEE, I’M MARRIED, & THE WOMAN I’M WITH IS NOT MY WIFE.”
GOD IS LOOKING FOR MEN AND WOMEN HE CAN TRUST. MEN AND WOMEN WHO PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH! MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE CHARACTER CONTINUES WHEN THEY SHUT THE DOOR AND NO ONE ELSE IS AROUND.
2. THE SECOND QUESTION I POSE THIS MORNING. WHAT KIND OF STEWARD ARE YOU IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY?
THE SERVANTS IN LUKE’S PARABLE WERE LEFT IN A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT. NOTICE VERSE 14 OF LUKE 19, “BUT HIS CITIZENS HATED HIM, AND SENT A DELEGATION AFTER HIM, SAYING, ‘WE WILL NOT HAVE THIS MAN TO REIGN OVER US.”
THE PRESSURE TO SQUANDER THE MASTER’S RESOURCES WOULD HAVE COME FROM ALL SIDES. IT WOULD BE EASY TO REASON, “NO ONE LIKES THIS FELLOW, WHY SHOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE WITH WHAT HE HAS GIVEN ME.” IN FACT, THESE ARE THE VERY WORDS OF THE SLOTHFUL SERVANT, LUKE 19:21, “FOR I FEARED YOU, BECAUSE YOU ARE AN AUSTERE (STERN OR SEVERE) MAN. YOU COLLECT WHAT YOU DID NOT DEPOSIT, AND REAP WHAT YOU DID NOT SOW.” A SECOND CHALLENGE THE SERVANTS FACED IS THAT THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHEN THEIR MASTER WOULD RETURN. THERE WAS NO WORD FROM HIM…NO REGULAR COMMUNICATION.
HOW DO YOU RESPOND WHEN DIFFICULT TIMES COME?
HOW ABOUT IN THE AREA OF FINANCES?
IT IS INTERESTING TO ME HOW QUICKLY WE CAN JUSTIFY THINGS BASED ON OUR CIRCUMSTANCES. PERHAPS IT IS EXCESSIVE DEBT OR AN EMERGENCY THAT HAS DRAINED US FINANCIALLY.
ONE OF THE QUICKEST THINGS TO GO BY THE WAYSIDE IS TITHING. AFTER ALL, I CAN’T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW. GOD WILL UNDERSTAND, WON’T HE?
ONE OF THE PROMISES OF SCRIPTURE WE DON’T OFTEN LIKE TO CLAIM IS FOUND IN JOHN 16:33,
“IN THE WORLD YOU MIGHT HAVE TRIBULATION.”
“IN THE WORLD YOU MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE TRIBULATION.”
NO, “IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION.”
TOUGH TIMES WILL COME. THAT IS A PROMISE. BUT, JESUS CONTINUES, “BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” “THESE THINGS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE.
IN 1984, MIKE AND HIS FAMILY BELONGED TO AN EAST COAST CHURCH. ONE EVENING AT CHURCH, THE SERMON WAS ON SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS, AND A SPECIAL OFFERING WAS TAKEN AT THE END OF THE SERMON. THE ONLY MONEY IN MIKE’S WALLET WAS A $50 BILL, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BUY A WEEK’S WORTH OF GROCERIES FOR HIS WIFE, THEIR FIVE CHILDREN, AND HIMSELF. HOWEVER, IN A MOVE OF FAITH, MIKE PUT THE $50 BILL IN THE OFFERING. THEN, AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE SERVICE, THE FAMILY WENT OUT TO THE PARKING LOT TO GO HOME.
WITHIN MINUTES, THEY JOYFULLY RETURNED TO THE SANCTUARY, AND ASKED THE PASTOR TO COME OUTSIDE AND SEE THEIR MIRACLE. SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL, THE PASTOR ACCOMPANIED THEM OUTSIDE TO THEIR 20-YEAR-OLD STATION WAGON. PEERING THROUGH THE WINDOWS, HE SAW THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH BAGS OF GROCERIES. HAPPY FOR THE FAMILY, HE REMARKED THAT SOMEONE HAD GIVEN THEM A HUGE BLESSING.
“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND, PASTOR,” MIKE SAID. “BEFORE SERVICE, I MADE SURE THAT ALL THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP AND THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. I HAVE THE ONLY KEY, SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE LORD!” TO WHICH THE PASTOR ADDED, “GIVING TRULY IS THE ONLY KEY TO GOD’S PROVISION!”
(MIKE HAD NO FAMILY LIVING IN THE AREA, AND NO ONE FROM THE CONGREGATION EVER CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY.)
AS WE ARE FAITHFUL TO OUR MASTER THROUGH ADVERSITY…HE WILL GIVE US PEACE IN THE STORM.
THE THIRD QUESTION I POSE TO YOU THIS MORNING,
ARE YOU FAITHFUL IN THE SMALL THINGS?
NOTICE WHAT THE MASTER SAID TO THE FIRST SERVANT IN VERSE 17 OF LUKE 19, “WELL DONE, GOOD SERVANT; BECAUSE YOU WERE FAITHFUL IN A VERY LITTLE, HAVE AUTHORITY OVER 10 CITIES.”
UNDERLINE THOSE WORDS, FAITHFUL IN A VERY LITTLE.
FRED CRADDOCK, IN AN ADDRESS TO MINISTERS, CAUGHT THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF LIVING FOR CHRIST.
-"WE THINK GIVING OUR ALL TO THE LORD IS LIKE TAKING A $L,000 BILL AND LAYING IT ON THE TABLE-- ’HERE’S MY LIFE, LORD. I’M GIVING IT ALL.’
-BUT THE REALITY FOR MOST OF US IS THAT HE SENDS US TO THE BANK AND HAS US CASH IN THE $L,000 FOR QUARTERS. WE GO THROUGH LIFE PUTTING OUT 25 CENTS HERE AND 50 CENTS THERE. LISTEN TO THE NEIGHBOR KID’S TROUBLES INSTEAD OF SAYING, ’GET LOST.’ GO TO A COMMITTEE MEETING INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT WE WANT TO DO. GIVING A CUP OF WATER TO A SHAKY OLD MAN IN A NURSING HOME INSTEAD OF HANGING OUT WITH OUR FRIENDS. USUALLY GIVING OUR LIFE TO CHRIST ISN’T GLORIOUS. IT’S DONE IN ALL THOSE LITTLE ACTS OF LOVE, 25 CENTS AT AT TIME. IT WOULD BE EASY TO GO OUT IN A FLASH OF GLORY; IT’S HARDER TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE LITTLE BY LITTLE OVER THE LONG HAUL."
IN MATTHEW 25, WE NOTICE THE SIMPLE RESPONSES GOD OBSERVED IN THE ACTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS. GIVING SOMEONE A DRINK, SOMETHING TO EAT, CLOTHES TO WEAR AND A VISIT. THESE ARE SIMPLE AND BASIC THINGS. NO POMP, NO PLAQUE, NO PRESTIGE.
GOD’S FOLLOWERS ARE NOT IDENTIFIED BY SAYING, “LORD, LORD” AND REPEATING VERBAL EXPRESSIONS OF THEIR FAITH. THEY ARE RECOGNIZED FOR NUMEROUS ACTS OF SELF-SACRIFICING SERVICE, RENDERED UNOBTRUSIVELY TO THEIR FELLOW MEN.
FRIEND, ARE YOU A PERSON OF INTEGRITY WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, WHEN TIMES ARE DIFFICULT? DO YOU CONTINUE TO SERVE YOUR MASTER FAITHFULLY IN THE LITTLE THINGS?
GOD IS GIVING EACH OF US A CHALLENGE…HE HAS GONE ON A JOURNEY TO PREPARE A KINGDOM FOR US TO INHERIT. EACH OF US HAS BEEN GIVEN SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND MATERIAL RESOURCES TO INVEST UNTIL HE RETURNS. WILL WE HONOR HIM WITH THE TRUST HE HAS PLACED IN US?
LET US PLEDGE TO BE MEN AND WOMEN OF INTEGRITY…FAITHFUL TO OUR GOD.
