Sunday, October 5, 2014

Parable of the Bags of Gold


We just learned about Jesus' teaching stories called the Parable of the Sower,
the Parable of the Weeds
the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl,
the Parable of the Wandering Sheep,
the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant,
and the Parable of the Wedding Banquet.

Another Parable Jesus told is called the Parable of the Bags of Gold.

Jesus told his followers a story of a man who was going away from his land for a long time.
While he was gone, he asked three of his servants to come and see him.

He gave the first servant five bags of gold, the second servant two bags of gold, and the third servant one bag of gold.

The first servant with the five bags went out and used that money to try to earn more money, and he earned five more bags.
The second servant with the two bags went out and used that money to try to earn more money, and he earned two more bags.
The third servant with the one bag went out and dug a hole in the ground, and buried his bag of gold to hide it.

When the master came back he asked to see the servants to see how they did with his money.

The first servant showed him that he earned five more bags of gold.
His master was very happy and said that because he did good work he would be rewarded.

The second servant showed him that he earned two more bags of gold.
His master was very happy with him also and said that because he did good work he would be rewarded.

The third servant told him that he was afraid of someone stealing the gold bag, so he hid it in the ground to keep it safe.
His master not happy!
He was very angry with the servant for being lazy and not using the bag of gold that he was given to try and make more.
The second servant showed him that he earned two more bags of gold.
His master was very happy with him also and said that because he did good work he would be rewarded.
So he took the bag of gold away and gave it to the first servant.

Jesus wasn't talking about real servants and having bags of gold.
He was telling us about the gifts God gives us, and the gift of his love.
We need to use the gifts he gave us to help other people and to share God's love with others, not hide it away because we are afraid.


(from: wikipedia - parable of the talents or minas)


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