Duh, It's About Fear!!!

I don't know why it took me so long to figure out the fact that FEAR is a key element in Sunday's story. I guess I've heard the parable of the talents so much that I thought it was about good investments or something. In this article: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_n30_v110/ai_14289215 there is a wonderful reminder that the danger of fear is articulated in this story. I'm jumping up and down (not physically, but mentally) because I've recognized so much fear in my congregation over the past month -- fear about the economy, fear about the church's slow growth, fear about the church's income, fear about dying, fear about living in these uncertain times, fear about change, blah blah blah! I look at the parable now and hear -- Beloved, what good are you if you are afraid?! You do NOTHING for the kingdom of God! At least try something! I've given you so much to invest in the lives of the kingdom, why do you hold on for dear life?!

So this frames my new approach to Matthew's Parable of the Talents!