The inventor creates so that life might be better. The writer creates so that we might be better. - t barnes
BOOKS
As the Leaves Kiss the Stream
(novella)
SHORT STORY, LITERARY
Small Lives
published in:
Upstreet number fourteen
PARABLE STUDIES
MATTHEW’S PARABLE OF THE TALENTS: A STORY OF FAITH
In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents. This is a story of a wealthy master who entrusts vast sums of money to his servants, then departs on a journey. After a long time the master returns and asks for an accounting.
The common interpretation of the parable is that one must use their gifts, talents, and abilities in the service of Christ or else lose them. In other words, those who work hard for Jesus will enter the joy of the master; those who don’t will be cast into outer darkness. But is this correct?
THE PRODIGAL SON, or THE HEART OF GOD
The Prodigal Son is an unfortunate and misleading title for the story in Luke chapter 15. The chapter begins with a contentious exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees, a confrontation where the Pharisees attacked the moral character of Christ.
In response to this grumbling, Jesus told them “this parable” (Luke 15:3). Yet what followed was not one but rather three stories: the story of the lost lamb, the lost coin, and the inaccurate title of The Prodigal Son. Download for further study.
THE UNFAIR STORY: MATTHEW'S PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD WORKERS
Nothing offends us more than to have a coworker receive the same wage for less work. Quite honestly, it's not fair. Such a policy by an employer would destroy company morale. In fact, it would destroy his business.
Yet in Matthew Chapter 20, Jesus tells such a story. So what could possibly be the point of a story that is so contrary to the world in which we live?