BBD 09.02.08 Risky Behavior
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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09.02.08
Risky Behavior
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who
called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave
five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his
own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received
the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had
received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money." -
Matthew 25:14-18. (Read also Matthew 25:19-46)
Every day people risk their lives and their careers for the thrill of the
moment. People risk their lives doing drugs, buying drugs, selling drugs,
committing burglaries and robberies to have the money to get drugs. It is
amazing what people have done and will do for a thrill. I have seen people
bungee jump off a bridge over the Colorado River. Yesterday, someone on a
motorcycle passed us on the interstate and I estimated their speed at 95mph
or more. Other people enter the stock market when they do not really have
the money. Some play the state lotteries even though they have a three and a
half time greater chance of being struck by lightning than of winning.
Most of us, however, are not into risky behavior. We are more into safe
behavior. Most of us are into the avoidance of risks and are committed to
playing it safe. The older I become the more cautious I have become. Because
of that the words of Jesus in this parable are a challenge. Jesus isn't just
talking about what we should do with our physical talents. Jesus is giving
us a challenge, the challenge of our lives. To follow Jesus, truly follow
Him is to risk everything. It is to risk everything we are, to risk
everything we have or ever will be for Him. How often are we to do that,
once? Twice? How often do we take that kind of risk? Our entire life is to
be lived in that way, risking everything for our Lord.
The kind of life our Lord Jesus would have us to live is a life of action. A
life lived as our Lord would want is a life of taking chances, a life of
adventure, a life of growth, and expansion for the cause of Christ.
How long since you have risked anything for your Lord? How long since you
have told someone about what Jesus did for you on the cross? Read through
the rest of Matthew 25 and ask yourself, "How long?" How long since you have
fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, gave a stranger a place to stay,
clothed those in need? How long since you visited the sick and those in
prison? How long since you have risked everything by putting first the
Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).
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