Are you a faithful steward?
Matthew 25:14-30 is what is often referred to as the parable of the talents. The short version of the parable is that the master goes on a journey and puts three servants in charge of his money.
One servant is left in charge of five talents of gold, one is left in charge of two talents, and the third servant is left in charge of one talent. When the master returns, he demands an accounting of his finances. The one given the five talents turned them into 10 and was praised by the master. The one given the two talents turned them into four talents and was also praised by the master. The man with one talent buried it in the ground because he felt the master was a harsh man and feared being punished if he lost any of the master’s money. The master demanded the man’s talent be taken from him and given to the man with 10 talents. He was then ordered to be cast into darkness.
This parable is one of several dealing with the Kingdom of Heaven and the return of the Christ.
In the parable, the master represents Jesus and the servants represent the people that were being addressed by Jesus. Jesus was telling them and ourselves now that he would be leaving them, but would return at a later time. While Jesus is not physically present, we are to carry on and do the work of the master in anticipation of his return. A talent was a unit of measure which equate to a large sum of money not only at that time, but by today’s standards as well. Jesus has also entrusted us with something of great value to be used and cared for as we see fit until Christ’s return. The things of great value we have been entrusted with are spiritual gifts.
We have the choice of what we do with the spiritual gifts we have been entrusted with. We can do good work and grow those gifts by using them and sharing with others for the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven or we can bury our gifts in the ground where they will be of no benefit to ourselves or anyone else and do nothing for the Kingdom of God. There will be a day when the master returns. At that time, the master will demand an accounting of what we have done. When you answer will you be found worthy of praise or worthy of being cast into darkness like the servant in the parable who was given one talent?
••• Editor’s note: Brian Timmons is the pastor of Pea Ridge and Brightwater Methodist Churches. He can be contacted at 925-0167 or by e-mail at pastortimmons@yahoo.com.
40 Years Ago Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1974 Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene
Shortly before the open house began, a GraphicScene photographer caught a picture of school officials conversing together on the $22,000 floating solid maple floor of the gym. They are Tony Fletcher Jr. and his son, Eddie; board president Keith Escue; Royle Carnes; L.C. Barnett Jr.; board secretary Jack Lasater; and school superintendent Roy A. Roe. The board and superintendent spent numerous evenings burning midnight oil in their struggle to get the new gym built in the face of soaring building costs and material shortages. Now completed, except for a temporary hold-up on the delivery of the basketball goals, the gym has already been the object of visits from other school officials of another Arkansas school which may be using it as a model for a gym for their own school system.
Russell Walker of Pea Ridge will be installed as the new president of the Pea Ridge Chamber of Commerce at Saturday night’s annual dinner and, and Jackie Wright becomes the new vice president. Eva Patterson has been reelected as the Chamber of Commerce secretary.
30 Years Ago Wednesday, Nov. 21, 1984 The TIMES of Northeast
Benton County
Petitions signed by Avoca area citizens, the urging of the Town Council, the record of accidents and fatalities, and the visit of a state highway official resulted in lowering of the speed limit on U.S. Highway 62 through Avoca from 45 to 40 miles per hour and the placement of a no parking sign on the shoulder between County Road 74 and the exit from the One Stop.
Beta Alpha Sorority welcomed seven new members Nov. 15 during a ceremony at the home of Pat Patterson. They are Cathy Cramer, Ann Donovan, Eleanor Spinks, Carolyn Kinsey, Rose Burns, Dorothy Williams and Irene Frazee.
Three deacons and their