Redistribution of Wealth
I never intend for my posts to be controversial, only Biblical and relevant. I believe the message of Matthew 25 is instructive for all of us, because we are hearing so much about the redistribution of wealth. The theme of the chapter could be God's way of looking at redistribution of wealth.(Matthew 25:28,29) Please, read the entire chapter and the entire post before forming your opinion about what I am saying. The main thing, as always, is to hear what God is saying.
In the parable of the 10 virgins at the beginning of the chapter we would suspect that Jesus would want the wise virgins who had plenty of oil to share with those who lacked oil for their lamps. However, that is not the case. Those 5 virgins who slept, instead of getting oil for their lamps were locked out of the wedding feast. Jesus is clearly putting his approval on being responsible and being ready for His coming.
The parable of the talents is very telling. A talent was a large sum of money. In the end Jesus says that those who invested their money wisely and were faithful stewards of what He had given them were blessed. He told them, "Well done, good and faithful servant." However, the servant who simply hid his money and made no effort to invest it was severely punished, and his money was taken away and given to the one who had the most. That is the reverse of what we call redistribution of wealth today. Again, the Lord rewards being responsible with what we have. He accepts no excuses from the unprofitable servant.
Finally, the chapter ends with the parable of the sheep and the goats. The sheep are blessed and receive eternal life, because they have been generous and caring with what they have received, so that they have helped others who had various needs. The goats were sent to everlasting punishment, because they failed to be generous and caring in the same way. Of course, this is not teaching salvation by works, but it is showing redistribution of wealth out of love to those who have real needs. This is the heart of Jesus, and anyone who knows Him will have that generosity and caring for others. It is a sign of their salvation, because that does not come naturally.
Therefore, my conclusion to Matthew 25 is that God rewards people who are responsible and productive with what He has given them, whether it is money or abilities. He does not reward people who are lazy or the who fail to use all He has given wisely. He does not force us to share what we have with those who have less than we do. He is not upset with people who have an abundance. However, He knows that those who know Him will love others and share their wealth with those around them, because they have His heart. If we want God's redistribution of wealth to happen in abundance, we need to share the gospel in abundance, so more and more people will have the mind of Christ and His heart for others. Truly knowing Him is the only thing that makes people responsible, loving, and generous.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 27-28 and Mark 1.
In the parable of the 10 virgins at the beginning of the chapter we would suspect that Jesus would want the wise virgins who had plenty of oil to share with those who lacked oil for their lamps. However, that is not the case. Those 5 virgins who slept, instead of getting oil for their lamps were locked out of the wedding feast. Jesus is clearly putting his approval on being responsible and being ready for His coming.
The parable of the talents is very telling. A talent was a large sum of money. In the end Jesus says that those who invested their money wisely and were faithful stewards of what He had given them were blessed. He told them, "Well done, good and faithful servant." However, the servant who simply hid his money and made no effort to invest it was severely punished, and his money was taken away and given to the one who had the most. That is the reverse of what we call redistribution of wealth today. Again, the Lord rewards being responsible with what we have. He accepts no excuses from the unprofitable servant.
Finally, the chapter ends with the parable of the sheep and the goats. The sheep are blessed and receive eternal life, because they have been generous and caring with what they have received, so that they have helped others who had various needs. The goats were sent to everlasting punishment, because they failed to be generous and caring in the same way. Of course, this is not teaching salvation by works, but it is showing redistribution of wealth out of love to those who have real needs. This is the heart of Jesus, and anyone who knows Him will have that generosity and caring for others. It is a sign of their salvation, because that does not come naturally.
Therefore, my conclusion to Matthew 25 is that God rewards people who are responsible and productive with what He has given them, whether it is money or abilities. He does not reward people who are lazy or the who fail to use all He has given wisely. He does not force us to share what we have with those who have less than we do. He is not upset with people who have an abundance. However, He knows that those who know Him will love others and share their wealth with those around them, because they have His heart. If we want God's redistribution of wealth to happen in abundance, we need to share the gospel in abundance, so more and more people will have the mind of Christ and His heart for others. Truly knowing Him is the only thing that makes people responsible, loving, and generous.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 27-28 and Mark 1.