The Parable Of The Unforgiving Servant

Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother or sister? Seven times?" Jesus answered, "No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

"This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven. A king decided to settle the accounts of his servants. Among the first was one who owed him ten thousand gold ingots. As the man could not repay the debt, the king commanded that he be sold as a slave with his wife, children and all his goods in payment.

"The official threw himself at the feet of the king and said, 'Give me time, and I will pay you back everything.' The king took pity on him and not only set him free but even canceled his debt.

"This official then left the king's presence and he met one of his companions who owed him a hundred pieces of silver. He grabbed him by the neck and almost strangled him, shouting, 'Pay me what you owe!' His companion threw himself at his feet and asked him, 'Give me time, and I will pay everything.' The other did not agree, but sent him to prison until he had paid all his debt.

"His companions saw what happened. They were indignant and so they went and reported everything to their lord. Then the lord summoned his official and said, 'Wicked servant, I forgave you all that you owed when you begged me to do so. Weren't you bound to have pity on your companion as I had pity on you?' The lord was now angry, so he handed his servant over to be punished, until he had paid his whole debt."

Jesus added, "So will my heavenly Father do with you unless each of you sincerely forgive your brother or sister."

Matthew 18:21-35 - Is a Good Reminder For Those Who Borrow Money

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant is an eye-opener for those who habitually borrow money.

If he is the one borrowing money, he makes all possible promises, invents stories, or even lies ... to give him TIME to pay what he owes.  He wants the lender to forgive him and be lenient with him ... or if it is not asking too much ... forget that he owes him some money. Self-serving doesn't it?

Wait till he is the one lending the money.  Why can't he put the same standards on the poor guy - like giving him patience and understanding, being merciful and tolerant ... being magnanimous and sympathetic ... being more permissive and soft-hearted?  Why can't he give him TIME the way he asked for it when he is the one borrowing?

The worst that he can do to make the man pay is resort to violence or threaten him or his family ... insulting and bad-mouthing them ... and blackmailing them - all back-handed tactics to manipulate or coerce the target.

Greed  ... or avarice ... this is something we have to reflect on this Sunday! Most people grew up with the old adage: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Best known as the “golden rule”, it simply means you should treat others the way you want to be treated.

Something is wrong with you ... if you want to be treated this way ... and when the tables are turned you can't stomach applying the same standard.