making god in our image
"He called in his servants and handed his funds over to them according to each man's abilities." —Matthew 25:14
The servant who received one thousand silver pieces was condemned because he did not use what he had received to obtain more (Mt 25:26ff). By saying that he was afraid of his master, the servant tried to justify hiding the money rather than using it (Mt 25:25). Then he tried to justify his fear by claiming that his master was "a hard man" (Mt 25:24), who was so unreasonable as to reap where he did not sow (Mt 25:24).
Nevertheless, the facts are that the master had sown five thousand, two thousand, and one thousand silver pieces. On this occasion, he was not expecting something from nothing but something more from what he had sown. Moreover, the master complimented his two profitable servants. He promoted them and invited them to share his joy (Mt 25:21-23). He didn't seem to be "a hard man" to those who did their jobs.
When we serve the Lord badly, we are often projecting our own warped self-image onto God. When we see and love the Lord as He truly is, we will serve Him as He deserves to be served. Love God; serve God.
Prayer: Father, make me a good slave of Yours. May I serve You gladly (Ps 100:2).
Promise: "God chose those whom the world considers absurd to shame the wise; He singled out the weak of this world to shame the strong. He chose the world's lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who were something." —1 Cor 1:27-28
Praise: Nineteen-year-old Aaron used his organizational skills and his drama ability to develop a team of teenagers who ministered God's love to other teens through skits and personal witnessing.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, March 8, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 9, 2000