Read Matthew 25:14-30

In September 2014, Brooklyn postal worker Joseph Brucato admitted that for nine years he had been hiding mail that he was supposed to deliver to residents of Flatbush. His supervisor became suspicious when he noticed that Brucato’s personal car was filled with letters. The undelivered mail weighed more than a ton.

The servant in today’s parable was entrusted with one talent, and he failed to perform his duty. Instead of acting in his master’s interest, he buried the money entrusted to his care. One talent might not sound like much, but the value of a talent in Jesus’ day was roughly equivalent to twenty years’ wages for an ordinary worker. This fiscal conservatism angered the master, who accused him of dereliction of duty and called him a wicked, lazy servant (vv. 26–27).

This servant’s behavior is a good example of sloth. Although sloth sounds like it might be an extreme form of rest, it is really the opposite. While rest refreshes, sloth drains our vitality and depletes our energy. Rest is a remedy but sloth is injurious, a sin of omission. Sloth fails to do what is right, required, or good. Sloth seems like it will make life easier for us, but Scripture describes it as a path blocked with thorns (Prov. 15:19).

Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – REST WRECKERS: SLOTH →

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Fear and worry are related, with the difference that worry is what happens when fear focuses on the future and things that might happen. Jesus provides a sample of the questions that worry asks in Matthew 6:25: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? For His audience, these were not trivial questions, like which item to select from a menu or which outfit to choose for that day. Many of these people did not know where their next meal was going to come from. Many did not have enough clothing to keep them warm at night.

Some of what we worry about is worthy of concern. Jesus’ words do not imply that food and clothing are insignificant—quite the opposite. But the Savior assures us that we do not need to be anxious even about these vital matters for human survival because we have a heavenly Father who knows what we need (v. 32).

Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – REST WRECKERS: WORRY →