God Gathers the Increase

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Restrain, O Lord, the human pride

That seeks to thrust Your truth aside

Or with some man-made thoughts or things

Would dim the words Your Spirit sings (LSB 585:5).

The kingdom of heaven is like a man preparing to go on a journey to a distant land. He calls three of his servants and gives them money – five, two, and one talent, each according to his ability. Then he goes off for a long sojourn. Finally, the master returns, and he calls the servants to present an account of what had been entrusted to them. Those with five and two both return them having doubled their money. However, the servant with one has nothing to show for his stewardship, because he simply hid it in a hole and did nothing with that which was entrusted to him. Therefore, the master welcomes the first two servants into bliss, but takes the talent away from the last, and has him thrown into the outer darkness.

One detail worth noting is the marked inequality of distribution in the parable. One servant receives five talents, the next two, and the next one, each according to his ability. There is no sense of egalitarianism here, no fair and equal distribution of wealth. The master hands out money willy-nilly, as he pleases, to each according to his ability. It makes no difference to the master, as long as the money is given out to be used. The quantity does not really matter, either of the talent or of the return on the investment. The master simply wants his money used.

So he gives out sizeable chunks of money and goes away on business. Then he comes back for the day of reckoning. The third servant, looking to make excuses, says, “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.”

By his words, this servant indicates that he does not truly know his master. After all, up to this point, the master has made no demands. He simply gave, and then left the servants to use what was entrusted to them. This is a frightening thing. To be handed a huge sum of someone else's money, with the only instruction being to use it. Could you handle that much freedom? How many of you agonize when someone gives you a gift card, struggling to determine what the best and most prudent way to use that gift might be? What would you do if someone gave you a million dollars right now? Would you blow it on frivolous pleasures? Would you hide it under your mattress? Would you carefully seek out the investments that would give you the best return? Would you share it with those most in need, regardless of the cost or the potential for return?

So the day of reckoning comes. The master comes home and calls his servants in for a settling of the accounts. He wants to see what has happened with his property in his absence. The servant with five talents returns with double, and so the servant with two. To each of them, the master says, “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.”

They have each used their master's trust wisely, and gained much in return. Therefore, they will enter into the joy of their master, into the rest of the saints. However, it is not their doing, as little as it is their money. Even in the way of this world, sometimes the best investors lose. A bubble bursts. A harvest fails. A company goes bankrupt. Things happen, and people lose. On the flip side, sometimes investors win. The market rallies. Harvest goes well. Patience pays off. Sometimes things are good, sometimes they are bad, and often the ups and downs are beyond your control.

What is given to you is to deal prudently with the master's property. Put it out there in faith, and He will gather the harvest. Proclaim the Word, and let it return to Him with fruit. Shine the light of faith, and let come what may out of the darkness. The increase of the kingdom of God comes as little by your actions and intentions as the fruit of the earth.

However, the third servant had no faith, but only fear. He did not know the heart of his master, because he feared to fail. Rather than put his master's property to good use, he buried the talent, only to bring it out at the master's call, rendering back only what was entrusted, without anything to show for it. He had done exactly what he feared most – he had squandered the master's trust. Sure, the money was still there, every cent, but it had reaped no benefit. To him were given the gifts of heaven, the treasures of the kingdom, and he had done nothing with them. He was right to fear the wrath of his Lord, because the Lord takes no pity on those who squander His gifts. He comes with swift vengeance against those entrusted with His gifts who bury them and refuse to put them out and let them work for Him.

What does the Lord expect from those to whom He has entrusted His gifts? “Proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.” Show forth the treasure given to you. And what is this treasure? None other than the death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God given for your sins, for the sins of the whole world. This treasure was buried into the heart of the earth, but He broke forth and rose in glory, showing forth the power of God for the salvation of mankind. He has poured His grace into your hearts and minds by His Holy Spirit, and has called you to be the light of the world, filled with the Light.

Jesus Christ is the treasure. In the new covenant in His Body and Blood, this treasure is given to you, that you may proclaim His death until He comes again. The property of the Lord is His Gifts – His Word and Sacraments – given for you, for the forgiveness of your sins. You show forth this gift until He comes. You are called to put this out, that God may gain the increase. Shine the light of the Gospel into the corners of your life. Give witness to the hope that is within you. Let your faith be evident to those who see you. Be reckless with the gifts of God, and He will gather the fruits. The Word of God never returns void, but always produces fruit when and where He wills. Do not fear the harsh master, but serve the gracious Lord who grants to you His good gifts and Spirit. He has granted to you to enter into His joy, to enter into communion with Him in His Body and Blood. He has called you not just His faithful servant, but His beloved son. “As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.” Well done, good and faithful servant.

Stay with us, Lord, and keep us true;

Preserve our faith our whole life through –

Your Word alone our heart's defense,

The Church's glorious confidence (LSB 585:6).

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.