Indecision

The parables of Jesus are the types of stories that make me think and then think again with a twist.

I tend to see them as moral tales and as such, I expect the message they impart to be positive.  That isn't always the case, though.  In the parable of the talents, there is one message that stands out, and that message finds its way into many sermons when Matthew 25:14-30 is read.

...You have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things... - Matthew 25:23

This is what we want to get from these parables, a simple message to take away and put into practice.  Be trustworthy in all we do, and more important things will come our way.

But there is a strange twist in this story that makes me wonder what the message is.

Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, "Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours." - Matthew 25:24-25

If the master truly is dishonest, what should the slave do?

It is clear that this slave was afraid and didn't know what to do, and I can feel for him.  Whenever I find myself in a situation that has the potential to put me in danger or may lead to an unsavory outcome, my first thought is how can I get out of this?

Like the slave, I face indecision.  But unlike the slave who buried the problem and went about his days ignoring it, I would not be able to let it go.  I would worry about it and about the master's return if I did nothing.

If I did believe the master was dishonest, why would I tell him that?

If the story had a different outcome, if the slave after standing up to the master and telling him what kind of person he was, if then the master admitted his wrong-doing and rewarded the slave, I would get a completely different meaning from the parable.

In that case, the slave, confronting dishonesty and refusing to play the game, would be a hero, a rebel, yes, but a hero nonetheless.

But that isn't what happens in life, is it?  When we find ourselves working for an evil master, what do we tend to do?

I know this is a twist on the story.  The common perspective is that the master represents God and that God wants us to use our talents to produce more in this life, and I strive to do that, but the ending bothers me.

So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 25:28-30

It just doesn't fit, does it?

The idea that those who have will get and those who have not will not sends the wrong message somehow, but here it is.

So, what does it all mean for us today?

As a testament to the way the world works, perhaps it is truer than I would like to think, but as a moral tale, it leaves me questioning.

What I take away from this is important, though.  I can't live in indecision.  I need to be aware of the forces around me and be ready to take a stand, avoid falling into traps that have no good outcomes, and learn to walk away when the situation is not to my liking.

I also learn to do what I want the lesson to say, use my talents to the best of my abilities.

I am not sure if those are the right messages.  What do you think?

More to come...




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