Am I Risking or Digging?

He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, “Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no 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

An American scientist once visited the offices of the great Nobel-prize-winning physicist, Niels Bohr, in Copenhagen. He was amazed to find that over Bohr’s desk was a horseshoe, securely mailed to the wall, with the open end up in the approved manner (so it would catch the good luck and not let it spill out).

The American said with a nervous laugh, “Surely you don’t believe the horseshoe will bring you good luck, do you, Professor Bohr? After all, as a scientist …”

Bohr chuckled, “I believe no such thing, my good friend. Not at all. I am scarcely likely to believe in such foolish nonsense. However, I am told that a horseshoe will bring you good luck whether you believe in it or not.”

The parable we just read is about belief in God; in fact it is about two radically different beliefs.  There are three servants who are given money in this story.  The first two are given different amounts, but they do the exact same thing with it and they get the exact same praise from the master for the exact same accomplishment.

The third is the one who acts differently and gets a different reaction.  So, since the first two are the same, we can talk about this parable as an alternative between two ways of believing about God; the way of the first two servants, and the way of the third.

Talent was a unit of money, and a rather large one. It was about 6,000 denarii. Average wage back then was about 300 denarii a year. So, one talent is 20 years wages.

We also see that each servant was given a different amount. They had no say in what they got; they were only responsible to steward and invest to the fullest whatever they had received.

In the end the first two servants were applauded and rewarded whereas the third servant was condemned not for what he had done; but for what he had not done.

Why didn’t this 3rd servant invest his talent?

I feel its because the third servant felt risky. When you invest it, you run the risk of losing it altogether. You lose control of it. What happens if things go bad and you end up with nothing? So maybe it’s a better idea to cling to what you got it; hold it tightly; enjoy it for yourself.

This parable shows that To be obedient is to risk what you have for the kingdom of God.

John Piper, in his book Risk Is Right explains that throughout the Bible most were called upon to take risks for the kingdom of God.

a. David and Goliath: David had no guarantee that God would smite Goliath.

b. Jonathan and Armour bearer: In 1 Samuel 14:1-6 it records the heroic story of Jonathan and his armor bearer taking on an entire garrison of Philistine soldiers. Most intriguing is how Jonathan invited his armor bearer to join him: “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6). Perhaps? If I were the armor bearer, I’d probably have said, “Uhh… I’m sorry, bro, I’m going to need more than your ‘perhaps.’ If we are taking on an entire, fortified garrison of trained Philistine soldiers.” But Go was in it, and God gave to Jonathan and his armor bearer a great victory on that day (1 Samuel 14:11–15)

c. Esther: When Queen Esther went before the king to plead for the lives of her people - putting her own life at great risk. She had no idea of what her outcome would be; no special revelation from God.2 “If I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:15­‐16)

d. Paul’s entire life was one risk after another. (Acts 20: 23; 2 Cor. 11:24­‐28) Piper says, “Paul never knew where the next blow would come from. Every day he risked his life for the cause of God. The roads weren’t safe. The rivers weren’t safe. His own people, the Jews, weren’t safe. The Gentiles weren’t safe. The cities weren’t safe. The wilderness wasn’t safe. The sea wasn’t safe. Even the so-­called Christian brothers weren’t safe. Safety was a mirage. It simply didn’t exist for the apostle Paul.”

Piper in his book also asks: What happens when you don’t take risks?

The nation of Israel is an example for what happens when we don't take risk.

10 spies: “There are giants, and we are like  grasshoppers!”

2 spies: Yes, but we believe God wants us to go take the land.”

Israel said, “Nope, too risky. Let’s stay and wait for a more opportune time. Build up our reserves a little bit.”

God’s verdict was “wrong decision.” What is interesting to me is that God calls the report of the 10 “evil” (Numbers 13:32). Evil. Every word was true. But it was evil because they refused to see it with the eyes of faith and take the risk. God struck the 10 spies dead with a plague and Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until an entire generation had died!

Risking is dangerous; not risking is more dangerous. What will we choose today?

This Lenten season  just like Paul knew the character of God and he felt great confidence in leaping out boldly, in great risk, in Jesus’ name can we also in the same manner? Is what we are doing with our life worthy of the price that He has paid?

May God help us to risk without any fear. God Bless you.