Matthew 25:24-25 New International Version (NIV)
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ Friday, October 9 When you think of God do you picture an impersonal judge, a demanding boss or a loving father? In their official capacity as a judge they do not get to know the people in their courtroom. There is a distance; a certain “coldness” to their work. They may be wonderful and warm in their personal lives, but, their responsibility is to consider the evidence and apply the law in a fair and unprejudiced way. A boss or a “master” can be the same way. Their official responsibility is not love or mercy. They are worried about the bottom line. Did you get the job done? In your annual review they will determine how well you performed your duties. The third servant pictured his “boss” as cold, impersonal and demanding. He did not want to risk losing what belonged to his master. When his master returned he gave back the property entrusted to him. Nothing lost. Nothing gained. How do you picture God? As a demanding judge? As a boss who is constantly assessing your performance? Or as a loving father who is constantly risking his love and forgiveness on you?! According to Jesus, God is your heavenly Father who loves you unconditionally!