OSAS= House Built on Sand
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Matt:25-26-30 Explains how God will deal with those who didn't give him enough money. I'm surprised you know so little about the Bible, yet you are quick to accuse. It exposes you as ignorant and unloving of your brethren.
The parable below is a reference to those who God gave talents, (which is you and me), He wants us to use our talents to the best of our ability and make as much money as we can so we can give more to His Church and He being the head of the Church means we are giving the money to Him.
My pastor drives a beautiful late model car and he has a very nice house, just as God expects him to have. He's not a loser who drives an old car and lives in a trailer. God wants His people to prosper, that's why He gave us talents. We glorify God by having nice houses and cars, it shows that we are good stewards of the talents He has given us.
Don't be jealous of successful Christians, we should encourage each other to achieve great things and earn as much money as we can. So don't come here trying to glorify poverty, it is offensive to Gods people. Drunkards and drug addicts and lazy people fall into poverty because they rebel against God, so He doesn't bless their finances.
Now read the last portion of the parable of the talents and you can see that god casts unprofitable servants into hell, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’[/QUOTE]
You now have turned from the parable of the talents to the parable of the ten virgins.
Your belief is centered around the teaching of Mamon. There is no actual scripture taken in proper contextual understanding that informs the faithful that God will cast the believer into Hell unless they give their pastor enough money in life to avoid that fate.
The parable of the ten virgins cannot be said to say that same thing either. Though it can be misrepresented as such.
The parable of the ten virgins teaches the second coming of Messiah from the perspective of the customary Jewish wedding.
The parable below is a reference to those who God gave talents, (which is you and me), He wants us to use our talents to the best of our ability and make as much money as we can so we can give more to His Church and He being the head of the Church means we are giving the money to Him.
My pastor drives a beautiful late model car and he has a very nice house, just as God expects him to have. He's not a loser who drives an old car and lives in a trailer. God wants His people to prosper, that's why He gave us talents. We glorify God by having nice houses and cars, it shows that we are good stewards of the talents He has given us.
Don't be jealous of successful Christians, we should encourage each other to achieve great things and earn as much money as we can. So don't come here trying to glorify poverty, it is offensive to Gods people. Drunkards and drug addicts and lazy people fall into poverty because they rebel against God, so He doesn't bless their finances.
Now read the last portion of the parable of the talents and you can see that god casts unprofitable servants into hell, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’[/QUOTE]
You now have turned from the parable of the talents to the parable of the ten virgins.
Your belief is centered around the teaching of Mamon. There is no actual scripture taken in proper contextual understanding that informs the faithful that God will cast the believer into Hell unless they give their pastor enough money in life to avoid that fate.
The parable of the ten virgins cannot be said to say that same thing either. Though it can be misrepresented as such.
The parable of the ten virgins teaches the second coming of Messiah from the perspective of the customary Jewish wedding.
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I think he posted already in his other thread, "Why I joined the Reformed Church"
Blessings.
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This is our statement of faith, I'm not going to disclose our website because I don't want anyone to bother our pastor. He has better things to do than answer silly questions.
SUMMARY OF FAITH
For a fuller treatment please refer to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
We believe that the Old and New Testament is the inspired and infallible Word of God, and the only authoritative rule for faith and practice.
• 2 Tim 3:15-17; Rom 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
We believe that the God of the Scriptures is the only true and living God. He is one God who co-exists in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Exodus 20:1-5; 1 Cor 8:4-6; 1 John 5:7-8; Matt 28:19.
We believe that in six days God created all things which exist and on the seventh He rested.
• Gen 1-2:2; Exodus 31:14.
We believe that God is sovereign in all things. In His infinite wisdom and power He directs the affairs of humanity.
• Ps 110:3; Prov 21:1; Is 45:7; Amos 3:6.
We believe that God created Adam and Eve without sin. He permitted sin to enter the world through a voluntary act of their disobedience.
• Gen 2:16,17; Rom 5:12.
We believe that God in eternity, before creation, determined to save His chosen people, to deliver them from the power and penalty of sin.
• Matt 25:34; Eph 1:4; Rom 8:29,30.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the mediator of God’s covenant. Being both fully God and fully man He was able to secure the redemption of God’s elect by dying on their behalf.
• Eph 1:22,23; 1 Tim 2:5,6; Heb 2:16-18; 4:14-16; 9:14,15.
We believe that the Church is made up of those who have exercised faith in Jesus Christ and repentance toward God.
• Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37; Acts 20:21.
We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances given by Christ to His Church.
• 1 Cor 11:23-31; Acts 20:7; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:31-34.
We believe that the mandate of the Church is to make disciples of all nations.
• Matt 28:19,20; 1 Cor 1:18-25; Col 1:28; 2 Tim 4:2.
We believe that God has appointed two offices in the Church, namely elders and deacons.
• Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.
We believe it is God’s will for Christians to assemble together in local congregations on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), to worship Him and encourage one another according to the Scriptural pattern.
• Is 58:13; Ecc 5:1,2; Acts 2:42; 20:7; Heb 10:24,25.
We believe that as the people of God we have a responsibility to show benevolence to all men, but especially to assist other Churches committed to the same Scriptural truths and principles.
• Acts 11:19-24; Gal 6:10; Phil 4:10,14.
We believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ at which time He will judge the nations. The redeemed will be with Him forever in the new heavens and the new earth, the ungodly cast into hell for eternity.
• Matt 25:31-46; Acts 1:11; 1Thes 4:18; 2 Peter 3:1-13
SUMMARY OF FAITH
For a fuller treatment please refer to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
We believe that the Old and New Testament is the inspired and infallible Word of God, and the only authoritative rule for faith and practice.
• 2 Tim 3:15-17; Rom 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
We believe that the God of the Scriptures is the only true and living God. He is one God who co-exists in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Exodus 20:1-5; 1 Cor 8:4-6; 1 John 5:7-8; Matt 28:19.
We believe that in six days God created all things which exist and on the seventh He rested.
• Gen 1-2:2; Exodus 31:14.
We believe that God is sovereign in all things. In His infinite wisdom and power He directs the affairs of humanity.
• Ps 110:3; Prov 21:1; Is 45:7; Amos 3:6.
We believe that God created Adam and Eve without sin. He permitted sin to enter the world through a voluntary act of their disobedience.
• Gen 2:16,17; Rom 5:12.
We believe that God in eternity, before creation, determined to save His chosen people, to deliver them from the power and penalty of sin.
• Matt 25:34; Eph 1:4; Rom 8:29,30.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the mediator of God’s covenant. Being both fully God and fully man He was able to secure the redemption of God’s elect by dying on their behalf.
• Eph 1:22,23; 1 Tim 2:5,6; Heb 2:16-18; 4:14-16; 9:14,15.
We believe that the Church is made up of those who have exercised faith in Jesus Christ and repentance toward God.
• Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37; Acts 20:21.
We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances given by Christ to His Church.
• 1 Cor 11:23-31; Acts 20:7; Acts 2:41; Acts 16:31-34.
We believe that the mandate of the Church is to make disciples of all nations.
• Matt 28:19,20; 1 Cor 1:18-25; Col 1:28; 2 Tim 4:2.
We believe that God has appointed two offices in the Church, namely elders and deacons.
• Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.
We believe it is God’s will for Christians to assemble together in local congregations on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), to worship Him and encourage one another according to the Scriptural pattern.
• Is 58:13; Ecc 5:1,2; Acts 2:42; 20:7; Heb 10:24,25.
We believe that as the people of God we have a responsibility to show benevolence to all men, but especially to assist other Churches committed to the same Scriptural truths and principles.
• Acts 11:19-24; Gal 6:10; Phil 4:10,14.
We believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ at which time He will judge the nations. The redeemed will be with Him forever in the new heavens and the new earth, the ungodly cast into hell for eternity.
• Matt 25:31-46; Acts 1:11; 1Thes 4:18; 2 Peter 3:1-13
Your pastor's website was found in your other post about why you joined the reformed church. http://sdreformedbaptist.org.au/?author=2
You now have turned from the parable of the talents to the parable of the ten virgins.
Your belief is centered around the teaching of Mamon. There is no actual scripture taken in proper contextual understanding that informs the faithful that God will cast the believer into Hell unless they give their pastor enough money in life to avoid that fate.
The parable of the ten virgins cannot be said to say that same thing either. Though it can be misrepresented as such.
The parable of the ten virgins teaches the second coming of Messiah from the perspective of the customary Jewish wedding.[/QUOTE]
The scripture is very plain and obvious, you twist it at your peril. Ignorance will not be an excuse when you stand before God to give account of your life. It's obvious that you have rebelled against the teaching of Christ and your trying to make excuses for being an unfruitful and unprofitable servant.
You need to repent and do the first works again, then start producing fruit. God demands that you contribute to the extension of His kingdom, if you don't you will suffer the same fate as the unprofitable servant.
Your belief is centered around the teaching of Mamon. There is no actual scripture taken in proper contextual understanding that informs the faithful that God will cast the believer into Hell unless they give their pastor enough money in life to avoid that fate.
The parable of the ten virgins cannot be said to say that same thing either. Though it can be misrepresented as such.
The parable of the ten virgins teaches the second coming of Messiah from the perspective of the customary Jewish wedding.[/QUOTE]
The scripture is very plain and obvious, you twist it at your peril. Ignorance will not be an excuse when you stand before God to give account of your life. It's obvious that you have rebelled against the teaching of Christ and your trying to make excuses for being an unfruitful and unprofitable servant.
You need to repent and do the first works again, then start producing fruit. God demands that you contribute to the extension of His kingdom, if you don't you will suffer the same fate as the unprofitable servant.
The scripture is very plain and obvious, you twist it at your peril. Ignorance will not be an excuse when you stand before God to give account of your life. It's obvious that you have rebelled against the teaching of Christ and your trying to make excuses for being an unfruitful and unprofitable servant.
You need to repent and do the first works again, then start producing fruit. God demands that you contribute to the extension of His kingdom, if you don't you will suffer the same fate as the unprofitable servant.[/QUOTE]
My how you dare speak for God and his divine right to judge all souls.
I forgive your ego~centrism and pride filled personal deficits as you seek to impart dark retorts rather than Christ centered discourse.
If your pastor taught you what you claimed is the meaning of the parables of the talents & the ten virgins that is something he shall answer for. The words of the Father tell him that God will judge and hold to a higher standard those who think to lead people in His name.
If you post your pastor's teachings about those parables without studying for your own edification, that is something that betrays you as one who is to defend the gospel at any time you are asked. For if you defend with errant understanding gleaned from an errant teacher you are still responsible for not taking the time to meditate on God's word.
Perhaps learned men will help you.
This is a partial sharing of an article from the Theology of Work project. It is copied in full with permission of their CC license.
I just found this site in my seeking something that would support my knowledge of the Matthew 25 parable. I have highlighted in bold text that which begins to support that prior posting.
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project
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One of Jesus’ most significant parables regarding work is set in the context of investments (Matt. 25:14-30). A rich man delegates the management of his wealth to his servants, much as investors in today’s markets do. He gives five talents (a large unit of money)[1] to the first servant, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third. Two of the servants earn 100 percent returns by trading with the funds, but the third servant hides the money in the ground and earns nothing. The rich man returns, rewards the two who made money, but severely punishes the servant who did nothing.
The meaning of the parable extends far beyond financial investments. God has given each person a wide variety of gifts, and he expects us to employ those gifts in his service. It is not acceptable merely to put those gifts on a closet shelf and ignore them. Like the three servants, we do not have gifts of the same degree. The return God expects of us is commensurate with the gifts we have been given. The servant who received one talent was not condemned for failing to reach the five-talent goal; he was condemned because he did nothing with what he was given. The gifts we receive from God include skills, abilities, family connections, social positions, education, experiences, and more. The point of the parable is that we are to use whatever we have been given for God’s purposes. The severe consequences to the unproductive servant, far beyond anything triggered by mere business mediocrity, tell us that we are to invest our lives, not waste them.
Yet the particular talent invested in the parable is money, on the order of a million U.S. dollars in today’s world. In modern English, this fact is obscured because the word talent has come to refer mainly to skills or abilities. But this parable concerns money. It depicts investing, not hoarding, as a godly thing to do if it accomplishes godly purposes in a godly manner. In the end, the master praises the two trustworthy servants with the words, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave” (Matthew 25:23). In these words, we see that the master cares about the results (“well done”), the methods ("good”), and the motivation (“trustworthy”).
More pointedly for the workplace, it commends putting capital at risk in pursuit of earning a return. Sometimes Christians speak as if growth, productivity, and return on investment were unholy to God. But this parable overturns that notion. We should invest our skills and abilities, but also our wealth and the resources made available to us at work, all for the affairs of God’s kingdom. This includes the production of needed goods and services. The volunteer who teaches Sunday school is fulfilling this parable. So are the entrepreneur who starts a new business and gives jobs to others, the health service administrator who initiates an AIDS-awareness campaign, and the machine operator who develops a process innovation.
God does not endow people with identical or necessarily equal gifts. If you do as well as you can with the gifts given to you by God, you will hear his “Well done.” Not only the gifts, but also the people have equal worth. At the same time, the parable ends with the talent taken from the third servant being given to the one with ten talents. Equal worth does not necessarily mean equal compensation. Some positions require more skill or ability and thus are compensated accordingly. The two servants who did well are rewarded in different amounts. But they are both praised identically. The implication of the parable is that we are to use whatever talents we’ve been given to the best of our ability for God’s glory, and when we have done that, we are on an equal playing field with other faithful, trustworthy servants of God.
For a discussion of the highly similar parable of the ten minas see "Luke 19:11-27" in Luke and Work at www.theologyofwork.org.
To read more about gifts and calling, see our Calling and Vocation Overview. To read more about using our gifts in community, see "Gifted Communities (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40)."
View Full Article
Also, didn't you say that we are to live by the word and not the world's standards?
You need to repent and do the first works again, then start producing fruit. God demands that you contribute to the extension of His kingdom, if you don't you will suffer the same fate as the unprofitable servant.[/QUOTE]
My how you dare speak for God and his divine right to judge all souls.
I forgive your ego~centrism and pride filled personal deficits as you seek to impart dark retorts rather than Christ centered discourse.
If your pastor taught you what you claimed is the meaning of the parables of the talents & the ten virgins that is something he shall answer for. The words of the Father tell him that God will judge and hold to a higher standard those who think to lead people in His name.
If you post your pastor's teachings about those parables without studying for your own edification, that is something that betrays you as one who is to defend the gospel at any time you are asked. For if you defend with errant understanding gleaned from an errant teacher you are still responsible for not taking the time to meditate on God's word.
Perhaps learned men will help you.
This is a partial sharing of an article from the Theology of Work project. It is copied in full with permission of their CC license.
I just found this site in my seeking something that would support my knowledge of the Matthew 25 parable. I have highlighted in bold text that which begins to support that prior posting.
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project
One of Jesus’ most significant parables regarding work is set in the context of investments (Matt. 25:14-30). A rich man delegates the management of his wealth to his servants, much as investors in today’s markets do. He gives five talents (a large unit of money)[1] to the first servant, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third. Two of the servants earn 100 percent returns by trading with the funds, but the third servant hides the money in the ground and earns nothing. The rich man returns, rewards the two who made money, but severely punishes the servant who did nothing.
The meaning of the parable extends far beyond financial investments. God has given each person a wide variety of gifts, and he expects us to employ those gifts in his service. It is not acceptable merely to put those gifts on a closet shelf and ignore them. Like the three servants, we do not have gifts of the same degree. The return God expects of us is commensurate with the gifts we have been given. The servant who received one talent was not condemned for failing to reach the five-talent goal; he was condemned because he did nothing with what he was given. The gifts we receive from God include skills, abilities, family connections, social positions, education, experiences, and more. The point of the parable is that we are to use whatever we have been given for God’s purposes. The severe consequences to the unproductive servant, far beyond anything triggered by mere business mediocrity, tell us that we are to invest our lives, not waste them.
Yet the particular talent invested in the parable is money, on the order of a million U.S. dollars in today’s world. In modern English, this fact is obscured because the word talent has come to refer mainly to skills or abilities. But this parable concerns money. It depicts investing, not hoarding, as a godly thing to do if it accomplishes godly purposes in a godly manner. In the end, the master praises the two trustworthy servants with the words, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave” (Matthew 25:23). In these words, we see that the master cares about the results (“well done”), the methods ("good”), and the motivation (“trustworthy”).
More pointedly for the workplace, it commends putting capital at risk in pursuit of earning a return. Sometimes Christians speak as if growth, productivity, and return on investment were unholy to God. But this parable overturns that notion. We should invest our skills and abilities, but also our wealth and the resources made available to us at work, all for the affairs of God’s kingdom. This includes the production of needed goods and services. The volunteer who teaches Sunday school is fulfilling this parable. So are the entrepreneur who starts a new business and gives jobs to others, the health service administrator who initiates an AIDS-awareness campaign, and the machine operator who develops a process innovation.
God does not endow people with identical or necessarily equal gifts. If you do as well as you can with the gifts given to you by God, you will hear his “Well done.” Not only the gifts, but also the people have equal worth. At the same time, the parable ends with the talent taken from the third servant being given to the one with ten talents. Equal worth does not necessarily mean equal compensation. Some positions require more skill or ability and thus are compensated accordingly. The two servants who did well are rewarded in different amounts. But they are both praised identically. The implication of the parable is that we are to use whatever talents we’ve been given to the best of our ability for God’s glory, and when we have done that, we are on an equal playing field with other faithful, trustworthy servants of God.
For a discussion of the highly similar parable of the ten minas see "Luke 19:11-27" in Luke and Work at www.theologyofwork.org.
To read more about gifts and calling, see our Calling and Vocation Overview. To read more about using our gifts in community, see "Gifted Communities (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40)."
View Full Article
Also, didn't you say that we are to live by the word and not the world's standards?
Test all the Spirits to see if they are of God. Before you act on ideas that come into your mind, test them to see if they glorify God. There's always two ways to deal with every situation, t's not hard to distinguish between them to see which is of God and which is of the wicked one.
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Really?
Because I am reading your understanding of scripture in your postings here. You defer to your pastor as the shepherd. And yet, in two parables discussed, that of the ten virgins and the talents, your pastors understanding is to teach his flock to give generously their money. Else, as you have said is in scripture that you defer to your pastors understanding and teaching thereof, they shall be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Is this a correct synopsis of your postings in regard to those parables? That of the ten virgins and the talents.
Because I am reading your understanding of scripture in your postings here. You defer to your pastor as the shepherd. And yet, in two parables discussed, that of the ten virgins and the talents, your pastors understanding is to teach his flock to give generously their money. Else, as you have said is in scripture that you defer to your pastors understanding and teaching thereof, they shall be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Is this a correct synopsis of your postings in regard to those parables? That of the ten virgins and the talents.
My how you dare speak for God and his divine right to judge all souls.
I forgive your ego~centrism and pride filled personal deficits as you seek to impart dark retorts rather than Christ centered discourse.
If your pastor taught you what you claimed is the meaning of the parables of the talents & the ten virgins that is something he shall answer for. The words of the Father tell him that God will judge and hold to a higher standard those who think to lead people in His name.
If you post your pastor's teachings about those parables without studying for your own edification, that is something that betrays you as one who is to defend the gospel at any time you are asked. For if you defend with errant understanding gleaned from an errant teacher you are still responsible for not taking the time to meditate on God's word.
Perhaps learned men will help you.
This is a partial sharing of an article from the Theology of Work project. It is copied in full with permission of their CC license.
I just found this site in my seeking something that would support my knowledge of the Matthew 25 parable. I have highlighted in bold text that which begins to support that prior posting.
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project
One of Jesus’ most significant parables regarding work is set in the context of investments (Matt. 25:14-30). A rich man delegates the management of his wealth to his servants, much as investors in today’s markets do. He gives five talents (a large unit of money)[1] to the first servant, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third. Two of the servants earn 100 percent returns by trading with the funds, but the third servant hides the money in the ground and earns nothing. The rich man returns, rewards the two who made money, but severely punishes the servant who did nothing.
The meaning of the parable extends far beyond financial investments. God has given each person a wide variety of gifts, and he expects us to employ those gifts in his service. It is not acceptable merely to put those gifts on a closet shelf and ignore them. Like the three servants, we do not have gifts of the same degree. The return God expects of us is commensurate with the gifts we have been given. The servant who received one talent was not condemned for failing to reach the five-talent goal; he was condemned because he did nothing with what he was given. The gifts we receive from God include skills, abilities, family connections, social positions, education, experiences, and more. The point of the parable is that we are to use whatever we have been given for God’s purposes. The severe consequences to the unproductive servant, far beyond anything triggered by mere business mediocrity, tell us that we are to invest our lives, not waste them.
Yet the particular talent invested in the parable is money, on the order of a million U.S. dollars in today’s world. In modern English, this fact is obscured because the word talent has come to refer mainly to skills or abilities. But this parable concerns money. It depicts investing, not hoarding, as a godly thing to do if it accomplishes godly purposes in a godly manner. In the end, the master praises the two trustworthy servants with the words, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave” (Matthew 25:23). In these words, we see that the master cares about the results (“well done”), the methods ("good”), and the motivation (“trustworthy”).
More pointedly for the workplace, it commends putting capital at risk in pursuit of earning a return. Sometimes Christians speak as if growth, productivity, and return on investment were unholy to God. But this parable overturns that notion. We should invest our skills and abilities, but also our wealth and the resources made available to us at work, all for the affairs of God’s kingdom. This includes the production of needed goods and services. The volunteer who teaches Sunday school is fulfilling this parable. So are the entrepreneur who starts a new business and gives jobs to others, the health service administrator who initiates an AIDS-awareness campaign, and the machine operator who develops a process innovation.
God does not endow people with identical or necessarily equal gifts. If you do as well as you can with the gifts given to you by God, you will hear his “Well done.” Not only the gifts, but also the people have equal worth. At the same time, the parable ends with the talent taken from the third servant being given to the one with ten talents. Equal worth does not necessarily mean equal compensation. Some positions require more skill or ability and thus are compensated accordingly. The two servants who did well are rewarded in different amounts. But they are both praised identically. The implication of the parable is that we are to use whatever talents we’ve been given to the best of our ability for God’s glory, and when we have done that, we are on an equal playing field with other faithful, trustworthy servants of God.
For a discussion of the highly similar parable of the ten minas see "Luke 19:11-27" in Luke and Work at www.theologyofwork.org.
To read more about gifts and calling, see our Calling and Vocation Overview. To read more about using our gifts in community, see "Gifted Communities (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40)."
View Full Article
Also, didn't you say that we are to live by the word and not the world's standards?[/QUOTE]
That supports what I've been saying, it goes further than just giving God money it obliges us to give of everything we have. So, thank you for clarifying what I've been saying, even more.
I forgive your ego~centrism and pride filled personal deficits as you seek to impart dark retorts rather than Christ centered discourse.
If your pastor taught you what you claimed is the meaning of the parables of the talents & the ten virgins that is something he shall answer for. The words of the Father tell him that God will judge and hold to a higher standard those who think to lead people in His name.
If you post your pastor's teachings about those parables without studying for your own edification, that is something that betrays you as one who is to defend the gospel at any time you are asked. For if you defend with errant understanding gleaned from an errant teacher you are still responsible for not taking the time to meditate on God's word.
Perhaps learned men will help you.
This is a partial sharing of an article from the Theology of Work project. It is copied in full with permission of their CC license.
I just found this site in my seeking something that would support my knowledge of the Matthew 25 parable. I have highlighted in bold text that which begins to support that prior posting.
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project
One of Jesus’ most significant parables regarding work is set in the context of investments (Matt. 25:14-30). A rich man delegates the management of his wealth to his servants, much as investors in today’s markets do. He gives five talents (a large unit of money)[1] to the first servant, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third. Two of the servants earn 100 percent returns by trading with the funds, but the third servant hides the money in the ground and earns nothing. The rich man returns, rewards the two who made money, but severely punishes the servant who did nothing.
The meaning of the parable extends far beyond financial investments. God has given each person a wide variety of gifts, and he expects us to employ those gifts in his service. It is not acceptable merely to put those gifts on a closet shelf and ignore them. Like the three servants, we do not have gifts of the same degree. The return God expects of us is commensurate with the gifts we have been given. The servant who received one talent was not condemned for failing to reach the five-talent goal; he was condemned because he did nothing with what he was given. The gifts we receive from God include skills, abilities, family connections, social positions, education, experiences, and more. The point of the parable is that we are to use whatever we have been given for God’s purposes. The severe consequences to the unproductive servant, far beyond anything triggered by mere business mediocrity, tell us that we are to invest our lives, not waste them.
Yet the particular talent invested in the parable is money, on the order of a million U.S. dollars in today’s world. In modern English, this fact is obscured because the word talent has come to refer mainly to skills or abilities. But this parable concerns money. It depicts investing, not hoarding, as a godly thing to do if it accomplishes godly purposes in a godly manner. In the end, the master praises the two trustworthy servants with the words, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave” (Matthew 25:23). In these words, we see that the master cares about the results (“well done”), the methods ("good”), and the motivation (“trustworthy”).
More pointedly for the workplace, it commends putting capital at risk in pursuit of earning a return. Sometimes Christians speak as if growth, productivity, and return on investment were unholy to God. But this parable overturns that notion. We should invest our skills and abilities, but also our wealth and the resources made available to us at work, all for the affairs of God’s kingdom. This includes the production of needed goods and services. The volunteer who teaches Sunday school is fulfilling this parable. So are the entrepreneur who starts a new business and gives jobs to others, the health service administrator who initiates an AIDS-awareness campaign, and the machine operator who develops a process innovation.
God does not endow people with identical or necessarily equal gifts. If you do as well as you can with the gifts given to you by God, you will hear his “Well done.” Not only the gifts, but also the people have equal worth. At the same time, the parable ends with the talent taken from the third servant being given to the one with ten talents. Equal worth does not necessarily mean equal compensation. Some positions require more skill or ability and thus are compensated accordingly. The two servants who did well are rewarded in different amounts. But they are both praised identically. The implication of the parable is that we are to use whatever talents we’ve been given to the best of our ability for God’s glory, and when we have done that, we are on an equal playing field with other faithful, trustworthy servants of God.
For a discussion of the highly similar parable of the ten minas see "Luke 19:11-27" in Luke and Work at www.theologyofwork.org.
To read more about gifts and calling, see our Calling and Vocation Overview. To read more about using our gifts in community, see "Gifted Communities (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40)."
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Also, didn't you say that we are to live by the word and not the world's standards?[/QUOTE]
That supports what I've been saying, it goes further than just giving God money it obliges us to give of everything we have. So, thank you for clarifying what I've been saying, even more.
My pastor teaches us what the Bible says, and it is painful obvious that God will cast those who don't use their talent to earn as much money as they can so they can contribute more to the Church into the lake of fire.
It is a great sin to be lazy and unprofitable, it's akin to stealing from God and no thieves will enter the Kingdom.
It is a great sin to be lazy and unprofitable, it's akin to stealing from God and no thieves will enter the Kingdom.
