The Storeroom

I was shocked a few years ago to learn something of the value of talents in the well known parable. It was worth about 20 years wages. In London, where incomes of £50,000+ are not unusual that is equivalent to £1,000,000. And that was the servant who was given the least.

This brings home how much God invests in us and entrusts us with. The potential of your time, education, contacts, experiences and strength is huge. Notice what the effective servants did: “The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.” (Matthew 25:16).

There is a right time to start using all that God has given you in order to change the world. It is now. James Carvillee said,” The best time to plant an oak tree was 25 years ago. The second best time is today. ” Whatever it is that God has given you to do - do it now.

Notice what stopped the third servant from doing anything. “So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent” (Matthew 25:16). It was fear. And maybe in some ways it was justified but what about the fear when the master came back and the talent was in the ground? Don’t let fear stop you.

I like what the master said about interest. It wouldn’t have gained so much (especially in our economy) but I think he is saying, “Do something rather than nothing. Make a phone call, enrol on a course, get some advice, but do something rather than nothing.”

Finally, I love the ‘Well done…” given to the effective slaves. It is possible to please God. He’s not waiting for you to do the wrong thing. He loves you.

In Britain it’s just been Pancake Day. I grew up not knowing about it’s religious significance. It’s when we use up all the tasty sweet things on pancakes so that we may give them up as we for Lent as we prepare for Easter.

This morning I read a great article by a church leader on all the benefits of delaying gratification. It was all true but didn’t relate the practice in any way to the cross of Christ who the leader usually preaches very effectively.

This year at Hillside Church we are meditating on the book If by Amy Carmichael. As I reflected on it this morning it struck me that ‘Calvary love’ is the lens through which any worthwhile practice becomes meaningful and possible. Whether it be the value of delayed gratification, forgiving others or viewing people with the hope that Jesus views us. It was for this ‘joy’ that Jesus endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

Whether you are giving anything up or not, take time to look at Hillside’s tweets or blog posts on the implications of Calvary love and how it impacted the amazing Amy Carmichael.

You can follow the Hillside’s Twitter account here - http://twitter.com/HillsideSW19/

He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
- Matthew 13: 52

I enjoy sharing the message of God’s love for humans from the Bible and the massive implications that has for all of life.

As a result, I will beg borrow and steal to stock a storeroom of stories, quotes, anecdotes and pictures. They are old and new, funny and sad, mundane and extraordinary.

This is the place to sample my store and put some things in. Then I won’t have to steal!

Here’s my first entry…

How to bluff at being a deep Bible Teacher - part 1?
Many of you teach the Bible in churches, house groups, Sunday School and so on. You will know that if you want to make a real impact it’s really hard. As well as studying the text and the experts you have to study presentation techniques, voice, body language, PowerPoint, and think deeply about your audience.

Sometimes that’s too hard when there is something good on the television. So here are some ideas for pretending to be really deep, learned and profound in the absence of a message that impacts people’s lives.

Never, ever, admit to reading a book

The exception to this vital rule is if the book has only just been published. Then you have to say that you are reading, for example, John Piper’s new book. The word ‘new’ is very important.

Now you might be wondering how you can impress people with your reference to CS Lewis or Calvin. That’s why I am here.

Always, always, say that you were rereading it. This is what you say. Recently, I was rereading The Screwtape Letters, Augustine’s Confessions or John Wesley’s journal. Then when your audience have no idea what you’re talking about or how your points fit together they will think that it’s their fault. If the preacher has read and reread all the great and good of Christian history, then they are obviously too shallow to understand and your reputation improves.

You can watch The Simpsons and be deep.