Parable of the Talents

In understanding the parable of the talents (Matthew 25.14-30), it might be that the designation "servant" includes anyone who makes claim to God, especially the Jew, or it could be that the servant-master relationship is analogous to the creature-Creator relationship.

I believe the following saying, as it is used elsewhere, is instructive in understanding the parable: the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. (Mat 25.29) These words appear in Mat 13.12. Jesus says this in response as to why he spoke in parables to the multitudes, predominately Jewish. The parables were a judgment on them. He also said these words in Luke 19.26 in connection with the parable of the 10 minas. This parable has similarities to the Talent parable, yet with some extra details such as the master of the slaves being hated by his citizens. I believe this must be a reference to the Jewish nation, and the slave must be a reference more to the individual and his responsibility to the master's entrustment. 

It seems to me that the talents and minas represent something more than just something entrusted, but that which should be desired or grasped, like the revelation of God--especially the gospel of the kingdom. The Jewish people were entrusted with this revelation, and so in a sense, they had something, but not all of them properly desired or grasped it, and so in a sense, these didn't have it. Those who had grasped it could be said to have, and to them was given more. Those Jews who believed in Christ, who were unlike the multitudes who came to hear Jesus, were not under the judgment as Jesus explained in Mat 13. Those who believed were granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, ... for to whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have abundance. (Mat 13.11-12) But those who had hard hearts to the revelation, who did not desire or grasp the truth, it was "not granted" to know the mysteries of the kingdom. They did not have it in that they did not desire it or grasp it. They were privileged to hear, but because they were not ready or hungry to receive it, the understanding would not be given them (from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away). It would be given to the one who was receptive. 

Maybe the parable of the Sower would somewhat explain the process: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8.11-12 One could also consider what Jesus said to Martha about Mary: Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10.41-42

Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 2 Corinthians 12:7

There's uncertainty as to what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was, but I tend to agree with the view that it was a physical weakness.  Paul pleaded with God to remove it--3 times he pleaded, and God would not remove it.    He called it a "messenger of Satan to buffet" him, "lest he be exalted above measure," but he also called it an "infirmity" or "weakness" (both words translate the same Greek word in the New Testament).   God said, "His strength is made perfect in weakness."  The reference to a "messenger of Satan" may lead one to conclude it was some form of persecution, but Satan can use a health problem to cause affliction--as he did with Job, whose body was covered with painful boils (Job 2;7).  I believe the thorn was something physical nature, a health related issue, because Paul identified it as an infirmity, which he distinguishes from persecutions: I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 There is reason to think that Paul had a problem with his eyes:  You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.  And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. ... I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.  Galatians 4:13-15   It is through physical weakness that God can have a greater witness, because of the character of the one who suffers.  There can be a greater witness in the truth spoken and lived out when one is physical weak or handicapped.  We can pray for healing, especially if it is a life-threatening issue, or if it involves pain that makes life unbearable, but I tend to believe that in many, if not most cases, healing does not come, but we can receive grace to respond to our weakness in a God-honoring way.  As the Lord said to Paul: My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  And Paul responded: Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me...For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Hypocrisy

Words should be defined by their usage and not simply by their etymology, but I believe the word "hypocrisy" is not being used correctly today. People seem to be using the word "hypocrisy" to label those they disagree with as deceivers, which portrays them as being much worse than being inconsistent in what they believe or do.  "Hypocrisy" is not the same as being "inconsistent" in what one believes or does, for the former involves deception, while the latter does not necessarily involve deception, and the inconsistency may be merely the perception of another but not necessarily the case.

Random House Dictionary defines "hypocrisy as “a semblance of having desirable or publicly approved attitudes, beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually possess.”  The Greek word “hupokrisis”--which is transliterated as "hypocrisy"--speaks of a stage actor or one who pretends.  The word represents deception not inconsistency.  It speaks of one seeking to appear before others what they know they really are not.  To call someone a hypocrite is to call them a deceiver.  Deception is worse than inconsistency, and hypocrisy as deception is to be discerned and rejected.

Maybe before calling a person a hypocrite, which involves deception, discern the difference between deception and inconsistency.  Most people are inconsistent about many things, but that doesn’t mean they are intentionally seeking to be deceptive.  It doesn’t make them a hypocrite.  

If you don’t like a person’s beliefs and practices, that doesn't qualify them as a hypocrite.  If their beliefs and practices are or seem inconsistent, that doesn't make them a hypocrite.

Examples in Scripture

Acts 5:1-5: Ananias and Saphira lied to the Holy Spirit: they knew it was wrong, and they gave the impression that what they were doing was what others had done, see Acts 4:32-35.   They were not obligated to give all of what they sold, but they wanted others to believe they did.   It was hypocrisy.  

Even when Jesus called the great crowds hypocrites, it must be because  they claimed ignorance of the times (of accountability to God), but could not deny the evidence, Luke 12:54-56.  It’s like when one claims ignorance when they surely knew better.  They could not deny the signs of certain weather coming, yet, after the signs of John's ministry and the person, preaching, and miracles of Jesus, they couldn't discern the times?

Luke 12:1:  The leaven of the Pharisees is hypocrisy.   Hypocrisy referred to as leaven speaks of it permeating affect, as a little fermented dough affects the whole.

What was their hypocrisy? Matthew 23:27-28:  The Pharisees were called hypocrites because they made a show of being righteous but were not so much.

Peter and Barnabas were deceptive out of fear: Gal 2:11-13. Fear is a motivation for hypocrisy.  In that situation, the issue was legalism, and this legalism denied the truth of the gospel.  Peter and Barnabas should have taken a stand for the gospel and not feared the disapproval of these Jewish reps. Legalism, especially when it denies the truth of the gospel, can not be justified in order to not be an offence to others.  Jesus didn’t do it.

Inconsistency does happen, but hypocrisy goes to the point of being deceptive:  you know what you’re doing or claiming.  By this you will be disapproved and fail to be effective.

Buying my EV

 

I chose to buy an electric car (not a hybrid) because I have an off-grid solar setup for my house, and I wanted to have an alternative to a gas-only-vehicle when prices get extremely high; and I wanted to take full advantage of my solar system setup, when I have extra solar-generated-power after my house battery storage is full, and I am able to power the house loads that are connected to the system.

The extra solar power will be mostly during the months of April through September, when there is excess sunshine.  My system reverts to the grid when my house batteries reach a certain low point of charge.   

When there is enough sun, and my batteries are charged high enough around 90%, and the demand of the loads can be met, I can plug my car into the solar system-- I have a dedicated 120 volts outlet to charge the car.  There are 2 settings in the car at 120 volts of about 800 watts and 1200 watts.  The former setting provides about 3 miles an hour charge, and the latter about 4 or 5 miles an hour.  The car can charge up to about 280 mile range.   I don't want to delete my house batteries to charge the car, because the original intent was to power the house loads, and not go back to the grid when my batteries are low (usually during the night), so I have to keep an eye on how deleted the batteries might get.  I may only charge the car 5 or 6 hours during a sunny day.  That's only about 20 to 25 mile range.    I mostly want to drive the car locally.

If I need to charge the car more often and quickly, I installed a dedicated 240 volt connection to the grid, and this will charge the car at about 27 miles an hour.  I don't know how much that is costing me. 

I drove to South haven, Michigan, and I charged at the "Red E" charger.   I used my phone's camera to scan the QR code at the charger by which I went to the website of that charger.  I put in my information and credit card, and it told me how many watts it had charged the car and the cost while charging.  I could stop the charge at any time with my phone.  I did it 3 different times.  The third time it cost me $2.32 for a 41 miles charge.   That didn't seem too bad.  The mileage shown in the car isn't exactly what you will get, for it  depends on how fast you drive the car.

I'm charged an extra 150. annual fee for my plates (Indiana's EV fee).  I'm not opposed to a fee, since I'm not paying a gasoline tax.   The annual fee is based on an assumed 10,000 miles of driving a year--which is about double what I'll probably drive it.   I had to pay the full 150. when I bought the car in May, and I have to pay it again when I renew my plates for October.  Why wasn't it prorated between May and October?  I asked the BMV about this, and they said fees aren't prorated.  So I got charged the full annual fee for part of a year, and it's based on mileage I don't drive.  Not a good incentive for buying EVs. 

The "rest" in Hebrews

 "For we who have believed do enter that rest," Hebrews 4:3.

What if the "rest" in Hebrews is like the "already, not yet" view concerning the kingdom?  Though the kingdom is future, as to its full realization and manifestation, it has a present form in this world, being its representation in the people of God (the ambassadors) and the authority of Christ to give eternal life to those who believe in Him.  We enter that "rest" now by faith; we are transferred to the kingdom now, but the experience of that rest in the present depends on our continuing in the faith.  And so, the rest has an already, not yet reality to it.  The not yet is the future rest in the kingdom, while the already is the present rest we can experience if we continue in the faith.

I'm going to say the rest is the "world to come": "He has not put the world to come, of which we speak," Hebrews 2:5.  The "rest" that Israel didn't enter was the land because of unbelief.  However, the author of Hebrews makes reference to a Psalm that reveals that Joshua did not give them rest (after they did enter the land) because there is reference to a future day: "if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.  There remains therefore a rest for the people of God." Hebrews 4:8-9  So the "rest," I believe, ultimately looks to the world to come.  And that rest is entered by faith--those who believe:  "For we who have believed do enter that rest," Hebrews 4:3.  Therefore, the author of Hebrew's readers should not think that they have come short of that rest by faith in Christ alone (thinking they must come under the Law to qualify for entry, which would be like the Israelites who did not believe the promise given to them, concerning entry):  "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem [think?] to have come short of it.  For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." Hebrews 4:1-2 

They needed to press on knowing what they have and not cast off their confidence which has great reward: "knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.  Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." Hebrews 10:34-35

of that day and hour no one knows

When Jesus said this, he was answering his disciples concerning the timing of the destruction of the Temple, His coming again, and the end of the age:   Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" Matthew 24:3

So when will these things be?  Jesus said that no one knows the day or hour.  No one knew it when he said this, and no one knows it to this day.  But for those who have ears to hear...this was said in the context of the end of the age and the Second Coming of Christ.  And Jesus spoke of things that would happen, of which he said: when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Matthew 24:33

We don't know the day or hour now, but we can know it is near, when we see the things of which Jesus spoke.  

Jesus said:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

Matthew 24:29-31

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;  men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.   

Luke 21:25-28

Zechariah, the prophet said:  

It shall come to pass in that day

That there will be no light;

The lights will diminish.

It shall be one day

Which is known to the LORD—

Neither day nor night.

But at evening time it shall happen

That it will be light. 

Zechariah 14:6-7

A brief testimony (Jason Savoie)

 I grew up in a nominal Christian home in which we all attended the church service (Methodist) and Sunday school.  I think after my second or third grade, we only attended the church service.  In those very young years, I think I had a belief in God, and had experienced a fear of God, but not much came of it.  

I don't remember much about going to church in the years leading to my teens, but I did attend confirmation classes in the seventh grade to become a member of the Trinity Methodist Church in Kendallville. 

I think as a few more years passed, I was probably more of a skeptic in the existence of God, though I remember experiencing a fear of God when discussing God with a friend, but again, not much came of it.  

Starting my senior year in high school, I met and started dating the girl who would become my wife, Diana.  She was a professing Christian.  I eventually would attend her church, so I could play basketball with the men of her church in a YMCA league of Southern Baptist Churches (SBC).  The conduct of those men had an impact on me.   I think I convinced myself I was a Christian.

I had an high school acquaintance, Dan, who had become a professing Christian, who was friends with Diana.  One night while eating at McDonald's in Kendallville with Diana, Dan stopped in and was telling me something exciting he learned in Scripture.  I also discovered a particular sacrifice he made that caused a light to turn on in my head.  I said to myself, "you've never trusted in Christ." A fear of God overtook me that night. Sometime that night, I believe I trusted in Christ for salvation.  It was either late March or early April in '78. 

I  made my faith in Christ public at the Diana's Church, and I was eventually baptized.  Diana and I got married in August of '78.  I became pretty active in that church and eventually became a Sunday school teacher, and held positions like chairman of the pastor selection committee.  In '83, the church licensed me to preach, and I started to take classes for a B.A. in Biblical Studies through Luther Rice Seminary, Bible College Division (SBC but Independent), in Florida.  

In '84, I switched to an independent Baptist church in Rome City that was eventually pastored by Dan, whom I referenced earlier.  He wanted me to be his associate, so he put me through an ordination.  We did a lot together in ministry, writing articles for the Kendallville News-Sun and having a live radio program, called "Think on These Things" on the local station WAWK, on Sunday mornings discussing apologetics and theology.  I was there 12 to 13 years, but after that, became part of a Bible study group in Kendallville that became Fellowship Bible Church.  I was there from late '96 until its dissolution in late 2022.  My involvement there was mostly teaching adult Sunday school and filling in for the pastors as needed.