Comments on: Parable of the Talents http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/ Christian Personal Finance - Financial help, debt help and other financial resources Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:30:02 -0600 hourly 1 By: Edward Hankins http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-18052 Edward Hankins Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:57:29 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-18052 A very good article about how God expects us as Christians to utilize what He has given to us and to multiply those gifts so that we can give back more to Him and in His name. The parable in Matthew simply shows me that Christians do need to take risks but most importantly to understand what their "talent" is, whether it be money or a skill, and multiply that two-fold. Imagine what we could all accomplish in God's name if we were to take the gifts that He has given to us and multiply them by two! Your salvation can never be lost. It is my opinion that not utilizing your talents for God's purpose and will puts you as a Christian in ill-repute with the Lord but not losing your salvation. I think that in using our financial gifts we should seek out good Christian advisors who under understand this parable and seek to do the same as a steward of money. In Christ Edward Hankins Christian Financial Brotherhood www.thecfb.org (503) 828-1387 A very good article about how God expects us as Christians to utilize what He has given to us and to multiply those gifts so that we can give back more to Him and in His name.

The parable in Matthew simply shows me that Christians do need to take risks but most importantly to understand what their “talent” is, whether it be money or a skill, and multiply that two-fold. Imagine what we could all accomplish in God’s name if we were to take the gifts that He has given to us and multiply them by two!

Your salvation can never be lost. It is my opinion that not utilizing your talents for God’s purpose and will puts you as a Christian in ill-repute with the Lord but not losing your salvation.

I think that in using our financial gifts we should seek out good Christian advisors who under understand this parable and seek to do the same as a steward of money.

In Christ

Edward Hankins
Christian Financial Brotherhood
http://www.thecfb.org
(503) 828-1387

]]> By: Mike http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-17868 Mike Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:05:32 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-17868 If the servents represent Christians, does this imply that salvation can be lost? Or does being wicked and lazy preclude the lazy servent form ever really being saved to begin with? Thanks, Mike If the servents represent Christians, does this imply that salvation can be lost? Or does being wicked and lazy preclude the lazy servent form ever really being saved to begin with?

Thanks,
Mike

]]> By: Daniella http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-17368 Daniella Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:44:05 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-17368 Hi Kevin, Don't be in despair. God still loves you and always will. He loved you even when you strayed away. I know in life we all made mistakes, but God is faithful. You're not the only one who went through this ordeal. But my suggestion would be to study something or find someone who has gone through what you did and ask them how they made it. The word of God says that "we overcome by the word of our testimonies." Hear their story and let it make you see that God can take a nobody and turn him into a somebody. My life isn't perfect either, but I can trust God faithfulness even in the smallest things. Just ask God to help you where you are and he will guide you. He has NOT given up on you. Acknowledging that you need Him is enough. You be blesssd brother and encouraged because God has a plan for your life. Hi Kevin,

Don’t be in despair. God still loves you and always will. He loved you even when you strayed away. I know in life we all made mistakes, but God is faithful. You’re not the only one who went through this ordeal. But my suggestion would be to study something or find someone who has gone through what you did and ask them how they made it. The word of God says that “we overcome by the word of our testimonies.” Hear their story and let it make you see that God can take a nobody and turn him into a somebody. My life isn’t perfect either, but I can trust God faithfulness even in the smallest things.

Just ask God to help you where you are and he will guide you. He has NOT given up on you. Acknowledging that you need Him is enough.

You be blesssd brother and encouraged because God has a plan for your life.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-16143 Kevin Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:58:09 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-16143 What i got from the parable of the talents is money and gift. I have lost both. I was an RN for 20+ yrs and due to my own evil desires (drug addiction) despite many opps to recover and keep all, I kept on and lost all. Wife/children/career/ everything. Talk about feeling like there is no forgiveness for me, or this parable--gnashing of teeth, and wailing. Is this what I have to look fwd to?? And do u think I have severed my relationship with the lord?? What i got from the parable of the talents is money and gift. I have lost both. I was an RN for 20+ yrs and due to my own evil desires (drug addiction) despite many opps to recover and keep all, I kept on and lost all. Wife/children/career/ everything. Talk about feeling like there is no forgiveness for me, or this parable–gnashing of teeth, and wailing. Is this what I have to look fwd to?? And do u think I have severed my relationship with the lord??

]]> By: Maureen http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-14498 Maureen Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:43:14 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-14498 I think the biggest eye-opener for me in what you have said is the value of being a risk-taker. I am encouraged. Thanks. I think the biggest eye-opener for me in what you have said is the value of being a risk-taker. I am encouraged. Thanks.

]]> By: Edward H. Mesina, Jr. http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-13779 Edward H. Mesina, Jr. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:09:46 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-13779 Thank God i found this site. God bless our ministry. to God be the glory and honor! Thank God i found this site. God bless our ministry. to God be the glory and honor!

]]> By: Can you fit through the eye of a needle? http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-6667 Can you fit through the eye of a needle? Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:01:25 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-6667 [...] I think Jesus addressed this in the Parable of the talents. The steward to whom he gave one talent did nothing with it except bury it. The master called him a [...] [...] I think Jesus addressed this in the Parable of the talents. The steward to whom he gave one talent did nothing with it except bury it. The master called him a [...]

]]> By: bob http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-4594 bob Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:08:50 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-4594 @MB thanks for sharing your book with us ;) I think you mentioned some good things in what you wrote... @MB
thanks for sharing your book with us ;) I think you mentioned some good things in what you wrote…

]]> By: MB http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-4579 MB Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:37:35 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-4579 I love this passage. It seems to be the one God has wanted me to understand better, it keeps coming up. Here are a few ideas. 1. God owns everything, therefore we need to ask for wisdom to spend His money. 2. The passage mentions about making "trading" decisions based on our understanding, to double the amount of what the Lord has entrusted us with. So we need to educate ourselves. 3. It also says "immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,and gained five more. It suggests a priority, he didn't pay off debt. He didn't donate it to the poor. He didn't spend it, he traded it for a long time to double it. So the question is when should I start saving? Answer: today don't wait to pay off debt. 4. Here's a suggestion Wrap up your debt into your house at the lowest rate. (Mortgages are the cheapest way to borrow money)and for the longest time frame possible Then save the difference in payment each month in something that will grow at a higher rate than your new mortgage. WARNING!!!! If you don't save the money each month, and you spend it you will financially bankrupt your family!!! I look at today financial markets and ask how do I trade God's money wisely. It says the bank is not the ideal option we should choose. I looked at one option mutual funds, good ones. Invest for the long term, it's funny that in the Bible the number 7 seems to be an important number. And if an investment averages 10% per year your money should double in about 7 years (rule of 72). 5. What about the concept of "Leveraging" this is borrowing money to invest. There are many types of leveraging the ones I'm referring to are loans or equity out of your home. This is a very controversial topic in christian circles and in the traditional financial industry. If you take out a loan, you have to pay it back. No matter what happens to your investment. Just like if you sell your car with a loan against you must come up with the money even if you sold it for less than the money owed. So maybe look at pulling out the equity of your house and investing it wisely for the long term. WARNING!!! do not use emotion or your gut feeling. Pray, and educate yourself this concept is for the long term 15 to 20 years at least, and make a sound decision for your family this is not for everyone. Remember each servant was given a different amount according to their talents. The question I have is it is acceptable to borrow money for a home (mortgage) where as the U.S. has shown us homes can go down in value over a short period of time, why isn't it acceptable to borrow money to invest in strong time tested companies that may in the short term be down? As a home is for the long term, God has said so is saving. To double your money you must hold onto it for a long time. Again these are some thoughts, all I know is that 95% of people in Canada and the U.S. are broke, living paycheck to paycheck. We work at jobs, where the more we earn the more tax they take. Everything continues to go up in cost, homes, gas, food, education, bills. We are not saving any money for an emergency or for our retirement. We borrow money for things that breakdown or cost more money in the end than their worth. There has got to be a better way. God, I'm sure doesn't want to see us like this, how can we reach out to others when we can't even take care of ourselves. Yes, God will provide! But if we don't educate ourselves and gain wisdom in this area. He is doing it all for us and we will survive, but I know he wants us to thrive and share with others. If you have read this Congratulations! I didn't think it would be this long. Hope it helps. Please respond if you like. MB I love this passage. It seems to be the one God has wanted me to understand better, it keeps coming up. Here are a few ideas. 1. God owns everything, therefore we need to ask for wisdom to spend His money. 2. The passage mentions about making “trading” decisions based on our understanding, to double the amount of what the Lord has entrusted us with. So we need to educate ourselves. 3. It also says “immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,and gained five more. It suggests a priority, he didn’t pay off debt. He didn’t donate it to the poor. He didn’t spend it, he traded it for a long time to double it. So the question is when should I start saving? Answer: today don’t wait to pay off debt. 4. Here’s a suggestion Wrap up your debt into your house at the lowest rate. (Mortgages are the cheapest way to borrow money)and for the longest time frame possible Then save the difference in payment each month in something that will grow at a higher rate than your new mortgage. WARNING!!!! If you don’t save the money each month, and you spend it you will financially bankrupt your family!!! I look at today financial markets and ask how do I trade God’s money wisely. It says the bank is not the ideal option we should choose. I looked at one option mutual funds, good ones. Invest for the long term, it’s funny that in the Bible the number 7 seems to be an important number. And if an investment averages 10% per year your money should double in about 7 years (rule of 72). 5. What about the concept of “Leveraging” this is borrowing money to invest. There are many types of leveraging the ones I’m referring to are loans or equity out of your home. This is a very controversial topic in christian circles and in the traditional financial industry. If you take out a loan, you have to pay it back. No matter what happens to your investment. Just like if you sell your car with a loan against you must come up with the money even if you sold it for less than the money owed. So maybe look at pulling out the equity of your house and investing it wisely for the long term. WARNING!!! do not use emotion or your gut feeling. Pray, and educate yourself this concept is for the long term 15 to 20 years at least, and make a sound decision for your family this is not for everyone. Remember each servant was given a different amount according to their talents. The question I have is it is acceptable to borrow money for a home (mortgage) where as the U.S. has shown us homes can go down in value over a short period of time, why isn’t it acceptable to borrow money to invest in strong time tested companies that may in the short term be down? As a home is for the long term, God has said so is saving. To double your money you must hold onto it for a long time. Again these are some thoughts, all I know is that 95% of people in Canada and the U.S. are broke, living paycheck to paycheck. We work at jobs, where the more we earn the more tax they take. Everything continues to go up in cost, homes, gas, food, education, bills. We are not saving any money for an emergency or for our retirement. We borrow money for things that breakdown or cost more money in the end than their worth. There has got to be a better way. God, I’m sure doesn’t want to see us like this, how can we reach out to others when we can’t even take care of ourselves. Yes, God will provide! But if we don’t educate ourselves and gain wisdom in this area. He is doing it all for us and we will survive, but I know he wants us to thrive and share with others. If you have read this Congratulations! I didn’t think it would be this long. Hope it helps. Please respond if you like. MB

]]> By: bob http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/comment-page-1/#comment-4217 bob Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:44:54 +0000 http://www.christianpf.com/the-parable-of-the-talents/#comment-4217 @zgreenwell you really don't think our stewardship responsibilities go beyond cash? It seems to me that would be a little short-sighted - there are so many other things in life that we are responsible for... @zgreenwell
you really don’t think our stewardship responsibilities go beyond cash? It seems to me that would be a little short-sighted – there are so many other things in life that we are responsible for…

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