The parable of the pounds

Luke 19:11-27 (NRSV)

As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Do business with these until I come back.' But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to rule over us.' When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, 'Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.' He said to him, 'Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.' Then the second came, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' He said to him, 'And you, rule over five cities.' Then the other came, saying, 'Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' He said to him, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.' He said to the bystanders, 'Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.' (And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten pounds!') 'I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.'"

Slaughter isn't one of those words I like hearing from Jesus.  This parable of the pounds is similar, but not identical, to the parable of the talents found in Matthew.  However, here the twist has been added to this story of making this man a king who is getting a kingdom from unhappy residents.  It adds another level of power he wields and fear his servants must feel.  And then there's the whole slaughter thing...

Truth is, God does wield an awful lot of power.  And part of that power has been endowing us with gifts - spiritual, and otherwise.  And as I've been stretching out in an extended theme, everything God does ultimately is about relationship.  Sharing is perhaps the best way to build relationship.

What good are the gifts we have if all we do is wrap them in a piece of cloth and hide them from the light of day?

The other day I said how blessings are intended to be passed on - we are blessed to be a blessing to others. The same is true of the gifts we are given. They are meant not just for our benefit.  Sometimes they are even meant to be used for others to "reap what they did not sow."  Sometimes we are sowers.  Other times we are reapers.  But at all times are we meant to be engaged in the dance of life.  Giving, sharing, taking, using, building, creating, reaping: taking the gifts we've been given, both spiritual and material, and helping God turn them into something that lifts up our neighbor.  Making sure that we aren't alone in our reaping.

The slaughter word is still troubling, I admit.  It helps that this story was told in a particular context and has ties to the real life story of Herod Archelaus, which Jesus' hearers would have known.  But there is also another connection that comes to mind.

There is a part of me that needs to die in order for me to live - the part of me that keeps to myself, hold everything back, hides lights under bushels and wraps gifts in pieces of cloth.  Holding back brings death.  It brings death to the mission of the church, it brings death to the kingdom to God, and it brings a kind of death to my own gifts, talents, and faith.

God is the God of life.  God's good gifts sometimes benefit us, but other times they are given to us that we might us them to benefit others.  In all ways, they are given so that we may continually be engaged in relationship and life.

Giving God, thank you for all the gifts you have given us.  You ask us always to share what we have.  Sometimes that is easy, and other times, not as much.  We ask you to remind us.  Prod us. Help us.  And always forgive us!  Amen