The Cost of Forgiveness. Part [9] 01/15/2024 (Evening thought)

Matthew 18: 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Ten thousand talents would be the equivalent of $142,436,571.48 U.S. Dollars; just about what Rudy Giuliani owes to those election workers in Georgia. That’s a whole lot of debt to be in, and even though the parable does not say what the money had been misappropriated for, it does say that it had become extremely difficult, and nearly impossible, for that servant in the parable to repay.

After the holidays, there often comes a time of very sobering reckoning for persons, who, with the very best of intentions, went overboard in spending. And as the new year turns, and they begin to crunch the numbers some may realize that they got in way over their heads, and will be saddled with debt for a very long time.

The use of credit cards should be monitored closely, and in some cases, must be held in by bit and bridle, lest like the servant in the parable, persons may find themselves owing more than they could repay. It is not the will of Christ, that God’s people be straddled with a burden of heavy debt to the point that it may force persons into insolvency. If and when this is the case, God is dishonored, for it can cast a dark shadow over His kingdom within the sphere of one’s influence, thus causing onlookers to conclude that Christianity can place the Christian at a disadvantage.

1st Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

May God add His blessing to the study f His word. “Good night and God bless!

The Cost of Forgiveness. Part [8] 01/14/2024 (Morning thought)

Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

When the Bible says that this particular servant was called to account, it refers to an audit of sorts where the King sought to balance out the books as it were. But for some unknown reason, the servant came up short, very short, and apparently the missing money was such an enormous sum, that it would warrant the sale of the man, his wife, and his children.

Before we rush to any conclusions, and write off the unforgiving servant in the parable, we will need to understand a few things about him. And, as we dig deeper, we would see why in certain situations, we ourselves find it hard to forgive, especially when it is money that is involved, as it was in the parable. We will make a few observations from the parable, and then we will see why it is necessary for persons to follow God’s lead when dealing with the sensitive issue of forgiveness.

[1] In the parable the forgiveness is centered around monetary issues which too often cause bad blood or estrangement between families, friends, coworkers, church members, relatives, and in laws. And in some instances, the situations could get so bad, that it is never resolved, till debt do us part.

Matthew 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!