The Loaner Car

This morning I had to bring my vehicle to the dealer due to a recall, as well as for regular service. Since I needed to leave my car for the day, I asked if I could have a loaner car, which they gave me. In fact, I ended up with a brand new Hyundai Tuscon with only 13 miles on it and all the newest bells and whistles. It’s not that I don’t like my vehicle (a Hyundai Santa Fe), but who doesn’t like driving a brand new car with gleaming new paint and all the newest features? 

Of course, I’ll have to return it at the end of the day. That means, I better not get too attached to it or enjoy it too much! And I need to make sure I take care of it properly. After all, it would not be a good thing for me to return a damaged car at the end of the day. I need to remind myself I’m not the owner; it’s only a loaner. 

In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable of a man who was going on a trip. He gave different portions of his wealth to each of his three servants to manage on his behalf. When he returned, each one would have to give an account for how they had handled what had been placed into their hands. And that is what happened.  Jesus goes on to tell how two of them handled their master’s money well, wisely putting it to use and gaining a return. The third one, however, did nothing with the money—actually, hid the money in the ground—and thus had nothing to show for it. He had not even put it in the bank to gain interest. When called to give an account, this servant makes up excuses, blaming his lack of effort on the sternness of the master. (Like most people, he wanted to shift the blame!) 

That third servant is called by his master, “wicked and lazy,” and what he had been given was taken from him. The other two, however, were commended with these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21, 23 – NIV) 

The parable Jesus told teaches us a few things. For one, each of us has been given by God varying degrees of our Master’s goods—e.g., talent, material possessions, etc. Thus, we all have differing capacities to achieve and do and produce. You are not like me and I am not like you. Secondly, God expects us to use wisely that which he has put into our hands. In the end, we will all have to give an account of what we have done with our lives and what God has blessed us with; we will have to give an account as to whether or not we have lived up to our God-given capacity. Thirdly, and maybe most importantly, we are reminded that all that we have is on loan from God—i.e., we do not own any of it. That truth ought to affect how attached we become to our material possessions and our perception of the talents and capabilities we have. God is the owner it all; we are mere stewards of everything that is in our hands.

My goal for my life is to have used well the possessions, time, and talents with which God has entrusted me. I want to live up to the capacity God has placed within my life to do good and be a blessing to others.  And ultimately, I want to hear those words spoken to the first two servants, spoken to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I trust the same would be true for you. 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris