we must "earn" something

My Sunday Scripture 2008.11.16.


It will be as when a man who was going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. 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.' 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.'

(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.' 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.'

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; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.' 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? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 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. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'


Matthew 25,14-30.

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My reading notes:

From this scripture, I can see that this is a very important issue of the Western
culture. Its quite different from the East, though it is more or lest the same with
the Chinese Culture(before Confucius).

And the point is the goal for Mankind.

Human beings, like the servants in the parable, are useful to the Creator. He must work hard, not only to achieve his own goal, but the goal for the Creator. We must "earn" something for the universe.

In the East, the goal is spiritual improvement to the self only. It is nothing to do with the universe. And this thought, could also be found in Confucius. He thought that the main goal for human beings are morality, not to achieve anything.

Zhuang-zi the ancient Chinses Philosopher who is very much not the same with Confucius, has samilar idea with this scripture. In Zhuang-zi's mind, human beings are like candles. The candles must release light, that is the purpose of living.