Matthew 25:1-30 ~ And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:1-30

¹ “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³ For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵ As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. ⁶ But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. ¹¹ Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ ¹² But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ ¹³ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

¹⁴ “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents,^{[ a talent, a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages]} to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

¹⁶ He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. ¹⁷ So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. ¹⁸ But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. ¹⁹ Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²² And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

²⁴ 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, ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 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.’

I heard an excellent news cast this week talking about what I've experienced with my kids when they were younger. Christmas and New Year are over - the new is worn off the 'new year' and here we are in pre-Valentine's, winter-gray-day, less sunshine weather. My sons typically did not get the best grades, of the entire year, about now.

But..... now we will recall my neighbor Carol's advice one winter day. I enjoyed my long-moved- away neighbor. She was Louisianan drawl sharp, sharp spoken, opinionated, fast talking, smooth decorating, good old-fashioned Southern Charm. A smile, a beverage and some saucy talk with spicy opinions. Always good for a conversation. The phone rang one day and Carol invited me across the street to have some good advice. Tedium lifted, interest sparked, I did as asked.

Carol said, "Honey, I've got good advice for you and it will change your life." I told her I was ready, willing and able to hear it. I happen to like good advice. Especially from people willing and able to leave their good advice in your own hands to decide where to place the advice. Carol laughed and she said, " I have 4 sons. When they are on your payroll, your college dime and your health insurance - they should return the calls, make the grades and sit up straight if you say so. And then the time changes. They marry sweet young things and have children you want to see. You no longer give any advice. No opinions. When their children come to your house, jump on your white sofas with chocolate fudge cicles running down their arms on your white sofa - you look over at your formerly sweet young thing daughter-in-law and you say, "Aren't they cute. Love her new hair ribbon." And you mean it.

;) Enter into the joy of the master.

So, about this news cast .... it said for this time of year - momentum is important. Exercise. Determination not to slump into nothingness and inaction. Deliberation. And when you find your self staring into the gray, cloudy sky - give yourself encouragement to get going again.

Remember our efforts are for the LORD.

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men

Besides. Who wants to have a pristine white sofa no one ever jumps on - left in utter darkness....


Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."



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