Doing nothing with what you've got...

Matthew 25:14-30 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ As Jesus told this parable, it is interesting to note that it was addressed to the Twelve. These were not words about "them" out there, but those who claimed to be His closest followers. So they are indeed serious words. It is important to note that there are two issues brought out. First, is the issue that the servant did nothing with what he was entrusted by the Master. Many people entrusted with the Gospel are doing nothing with it. More pointedly, many American Christians are blessed with material resources and doing nothing with it for the Kingdom of God. Second, and possibly even more important, is why the servant did nothing - he had a faulty view of what God is like. He proclaims to the Master that he knows what He is like, but the Master in essence replies: "so, you think you know what I am like, do you...?" Not only were the servants actions inconsistent with his own thoughts on what the Master is like; his view is skewed. God is not heartless, and He will judge those who claim Him, but do nothing for Him.