I see that Abu is very literal/black and white/fundamentalist in thinking, however, I don’t think Jesus would use an intrinsically evil thing to demonstrate a spiritual truth. I don’t think there is any thing wrong with using wealth to get more wealth. I think what causes problems is our attittude and attachment to it. Sometimes the children of this world are wiser than the sons of light.
I was reading Matthew 25 itself, where Jesus is clearly making analogies to the final judgments in the Kingdom of Heaven. How could it not be, that He was saying that we need to multiply SPIRITUAL GIFTS, to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Were people to be cast to hell, for not tilling all of their land. or leaving surplus fruit to rot instead of making jarred preserves, or for failing to use a banker with their gold? It is hard to believe that Jesus was speaking of God making final judgments of the souls of men, based on such matters. However I see online that Abu’s interpretation of these verses, an application to material wealth, is not uncommon. What a shame.
**Sorry Abu, I was too harsh, you are only following others about this. Further, I do not think Father Percy in Australia is the best reference you can use to interpret this Parable. ** Based on text I have on Matthew 25 from USCCB as follows, I still must take exception:
1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and
went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
3 The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, 4 but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9
But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. 11 Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ 12 But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
14 It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and
entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately 16 the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. 17 Likewise, the one who received two made another two. 18 But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 22 [Then] the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; 25 so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ 26 His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27
Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28 Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the
one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
