Fear of Failure

January 22, 2008

Matthew 25
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

We all have heard the parable of the talents probably many times over, but its good to look at every now and again.

The Lord provides us all with the resources we need to bring Him glory through our works/actions. Mind you, I am not saying our salvation is based on our works, but there are rewards based on how we use the life God has given us for His glory.

Now remember, "talents" in this story doesn't represent "saved souls" - only the Lord can save and draw people to Him. A talent can be sharing Christ. A talent can be mowing the grass at the church. A talent can be teaching a Bible study. A talent can be singing. I think you get the picture - anything that we do that brings glory to God is a talent, and it was given to us by God for that very purpose.

Looking at it this way, you can see how God has equipped some to do many things (five talents), some to do a couple of things (two talents), and some to concentrate on glorifying God in one area (one talent).

Not to pick on the last guy, but I want to talk about the person who was given one talent. In this story, he is the one who lacks confidence that he can do anything with his talent. His fear of failure overrides his duty of just serving his Master. He takes what he was given and hides, at least that way he doesn't mess anything up.

Wow, now let's see a virtual show of hands - is that sometimes you? I believe it is a vast majority of Christians today. Yes, I went there. Why? The statistics show it. In the average Christian church, only 10% of the people do any kind of ministry or service. And this shouldn't be the pastors, they are to equip others to be involved in ministry or service (Ephesians 4:11-12).

So, what is it I'm trying to say? Don't be afraid to try. First of all, we know from this parable that God has equipped you for something. You may have to try several areas to find your place. A wise pastoral staff will not put you somewhere where you don't belong (just as a side note, yes churches make mistakes and throw "warm bodies" in places where they shouldn't be - but if you take any position invite to prayer and ask the pastor/leadership to take this in prayer; and act only when there is peace on both parties, you shouldn't have anything to worry about).

Remember also who you have backing you, the Lord Almighty, and He has given you power (authority) to give Him glory. (John 1:12-13).

If God is with us, who or what can we fear? Just go out there and do it.