The Payment Plan Nobody Accepted
“And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.”Matthew 18:24 (KJV)
When the servant who owed ten thousand talents fell at the king’s feet, he made an offer. “Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” He was asking for a payment plan.
It was never going to work. Matthew has already told us “he had not to pay.” Ten thousand talents was a debt no servant could clear in a lifetime of lifetimes. His offer shows that he still thought of it as something he could handle, given enough time.
The king didn’t accept the plan. He did something better. “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.” Not reduced. Not rescheduled. Forgiven.
Many of us still talk to God like that servant. Give me time, and I’ll make it up to you. But grace isn’t a payment plan. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Stop offering installments. Receive the gift.
Count it yourself
The servant owed 10,000 talents (Matthew 18:24) and was forgiven all of it (18:27). The fellowservant owed him 100 pence (18:28).
Have you been trying to pay God back in installments for something he has already forgiven?
Father, I could never pay what I owed. Thank you that you didn’t ask me to. Help me rest in your gift. Amen.