For popular or very good threads

24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

— NLT, or New Living Translation
——————————//————-

Seems a little hardcore to send the poor servant to hell!

I have heard ministers talk about, “even more will be given.” But the very last part, the part about hell, I haven’t heard them talk about.

——————-

Even if a bank paid 10%, it would take 7+ years to double your money.
 
Last edited:
Seems a little hardcore to send the poor servant to hell!

I have heard ministers talk about, “even more will be given.” But the very last part, the part about hell, I haven’t heard them talk about.
You missed the crucial point. The servant was not sent to Hell because he did nothing with his master's money. His failure to use the money for his master's benefit was just a symptom. The root cause is pointed out in verse 26. This servant was wicked as well as lazy. Now let's apply this parable to us today. By creation, we are all servants of God. He created us, so He owns us. God has given to every person certain gifts. Some of these gifts could be physical in nature. Some are intellectual. Some people just have gifts that others do not possess. Whatever gift God has bestowed on us, is given to bring God glory. Those who fail to use their God-given gifts for Him do so because they are indifferent or they reject His authority over their lives. Either way, those who refuse to glorify God with the gifts He gave them are wicked. Now, let's be clear...we are all wicked by nature. But those of us who are saved are washed clean of all our sins, by the blood of Christ. Saved people want to use our talents for God. We want the focus to be on Him. People who refuse to be saved and glorify God are those who bury their talent. As a result, they go to Hell. Again, it is by their choice.
 
You are correct. Some people are homeless by choice. Many people are homeless because they made poor decisions. However, many are homeless due to unfortunate circumstances and do not want to be homeless. Those are the ones we need to help.
This is not what this passage in Matthew is saying. It’s saying we should help everyone, including visiting those in prison.

And some people are hard to help. For example, giving money to a person with an addiction probably ain’t helping them!

So, we need to find another way. I’m going to throw a curve ball and say that in some cases, the best way might be to ask the homeless person to help us. He or she might very much want to make a contribution. Find a way to give him or her a chance.
 
  • Exceptional post!
Reactions: Scooter
His failure to use the money for his master's benefit was just a symptom. The root cause is pointed out in verse 26. This servant was wicked as well as lazy.
The servant to me seems more afraid than wicked. The master calls him wicked.

This is after the servant says, “Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant . . . ” The servant probably should have found a more diplomatic way.
 
I’m going to throw a curve ball and say that in some cases, the best way might be to ask the homeless person to help us. He or she might very much want to make a contribution. Find a way to give him or her a chance.
I think that is fantastic. You are right, in that even homeless people can contribute. I like that. I need to see how to put this into practice.
 

Perhaps the most beautiful part of the New Testament. These aspirational goals of doing these great deeds, when the need is endless! And of course you’re going to have to ration yourself and take care of yourself, too.

And then Jesus says, if you don’t do these good works, you’re going to hell.
I found a decent explanation on Christianity.com, here. What you are referring to is usually called the Parable of the Talents.

From my understanding, the parable is meant to be a lesson that involves responsibly using one's abilities, resources, and gifts. I believe Scooter said something similar along those lines. Yeah, the Christian is saved by just believe in Jesus, which is what one guy on the Cross did. But I suppose, if you're still left alive, you have to also demonstrate that faith through works as you live out life. I could see this applying to the disciples where Jesus leaves them on Earth and tells them to go preach, and that he'll return at a later time. Now, if they received all of the instruction from Jesus and never used it, then it would be a waste.

But I do also get your point through. It seems to be a harsh judgement to send someone to Hell for just remaining silent or not doing anything with what they are given. The servant was scared, and it also doesn't help that the master is portrayed as being "harsh". But this goes to show that Christianity is a practical faith, and to put it into practice is like a moral mandate. From that understanding, I'm not for sending the guy to Hell just for not putting it into practice, but neither am I against it.

Of course, I have my own reasons for not putting Christianity into practice, with the main reason being I'm not a believer until I get more evidence.
 

35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons [Greek - “his angels”]. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

— New Living Translation

——————

Perhaps the most beautiful part of the New Testament. These aspirational goals of doing these great deeds, when the need is endless! And of course you’re going to have to ration yourself and take care of yourself, too.

And then Jesus says, if you don’t do these good works, you’re going to hell.
hey ML, just found this, guess i need to goto forums pg more often lol.

You might explore a little more at what Jesus said, https://biblehub.com/lexicon/matthew/25-46.htm
wherein i would argue that hel was never mentioned…nor even punishment, strictly speaking, for that matter?

which dont get me wrong, it is xlated as punishment, and most Bible scholars even repeat “punishment,” but note the arg in the last link,

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, "kolasis" was understood as a form of corrective punishment, distinct from "timoria," which referred to retributive justice.

so, if kolasis = our “punishment,” then what term might you use for “retributive justice?” point being that imo their kolasis may not have meant what we think of as punishment now, or at least the concept might deserve a little refining?

not even considering that that “eternal” means “life-long” and not forever, so my arg is that He maybe meant more like “these will go on to lifelong suffering (punishment)” or something like that
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Multicolored Lemur