In Matthew 25 and Luke 19, we get the stories of the servants and the talents, and we know that God rewards the stewardship of what He gives us, not the result of what we do with what He gives us.
In other words, God expects us to act on his instructions. When He speaks, we should respond.
So if we look at Matthew and Luke’s versions of the parables of the talents, one of the servants did very well, one did average, and both were rewarded…
But one servant hid his talent, his minah, his bag of gold… Why?
Because he was afraid!
He said so!
”You see, I live in fear of you, for everyone knows you are a strict master and impossible to please…”
(Luke 19:21)
So on the face of it, it looks like he was afraid of his master… but why then, didn’t the other workers cower in fear?
I would like to suggest that he was not so much afraid of his master than afraid of failing… (and not just failing, but maybe specifically failing his master…?)
Here’s the thing… fear is a learnt response. It is the “not knowing” that we are afraid of. So in the end, we do not do what we are supposed to do, or do what we are called to do because we talk ourselves out of it
We imagine everything that can go wrong and call it “planning” for the worst case. Which never happens… because we end up not doing it…
Lucky us… we sidestepped everything that could go wrong!
But you know what is the absolutely crazy part of it… the result could have been absolutely spectacular, but we will never know because we were too afraid of the result to even try…
The thing of the thing is this. God did not design us to be fearful. He designed us in HIS image.
”For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
(2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)
and…
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
(Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
What are we capable of if we do what Jesus asks us to do. If we respond to His calling with action instead of fear and doubt?
We may start small.
“Who dares despise the day of small beginnings”
(Zechariah 4:10)
But if we keep on responding with action. If we do not bury what was given to us, and do not justify our actions with excuses. What is possible?
I will tell you:
“…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
(Isaiah 55:11 NIV)
When God Calls us… he doesn’t send us away… He is actually calling us to a place where He already is. He has a plan for that place, situation or person. He is waiting for us there… So when we answer His calling, we are actually going where God is waiting for us.
If we go where God is, Miracles Happen!
We don’t really get to choose which words of God we want to listen to and follow. All of God’s words carry value and importance.
But it is also important to remember that if we do not answer God’s calling, He doesn’t abandon us. (…and He doesn’t specifically punish us for not following His instructions. Remember, It’s not about the result but about the stewardship)
Keep God’s character in mind. He is God the Father… ask any father what joy it brings them when their child accomplishes something… Give a baby a task, and once they accomplish it, there is ultimate joy! It is shared on Facebook, Instagram and the family WhatsApp group (probably the work WhatsApp group as well! 😁)
See why fear makes no sense?
God is on the other side. Don’t be afraid. Just do it!
