What Are We to Do If There Is a Tater Family in Our Church?

Luke 19:11-27
 
This is the story about the pounds. This story tells of a certain nobleman who received a kingdom, and it showed the followers of Jesus what they were to do during the time between when Jesus would leave and his Second Coming. The followers were to be unwavering and fruitful during while he was gone. Since we live during that timeframe, it applies straightforwardly to us. We have been given incredible assets to assemble and extend God's Kingdom. Jesus anticipates that we should utilize these abilities, so they duplicate, and the Kingdom develops and grows. He wants each of us to report and explain how we managed the gifts that he gave. While we are waiting for the Kingdom of God to come in glory, we must be doing the work that he gave us to do.
 
In verse 13:
The nobleman tells the servants to “Occupy till I come.” That means the servants were to work. We are not to get caught up sitting on the stool of do nothing. We are to be about God’s work in one way or another. Unfortunately, certain individuals who are very much aware of their capacities believe that they reserve the option to involve them however they see fit. Others feel that they have no ability by any means. Everybody has one or more “gifts” (abilities). We are to discover what our own are and use them in a like manner. Every one of our abilities ought to be utilized in serving others. Not even one of them are for our own restrictive pleasure. Peter refers to "speaking" (preaching) and "ministering" (helping).

• 1 Peter 4:10-11, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 
In verses 16-19:
These men report to the nobleman and tell him what they had achieved with what had been given to them. Each time the Lord was pleased with the results of their labors. However, our honesty frequently meets its match regarding money matters. God calls us to be straightforward even in the little subtleties that we could excuse away. The wealth of heaven is definitely more significant than natural earthly wealth. However, assuming we are conniving with our natural wealth (regardless of how much or minimal that we have), we are unsuitable to deal with the tremendous wealth of God's Kingdom. We are not to neglect our honesty in trivial matters, and it will not fail us in regarding critical choices as well.

• Luke 16:10, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

 
In verses 20-21:
This man did nothing with what was given unto him for he was afraid to do anything. The Lord punished him for his lack of obedience, and he states that the man condemned himself.

• Job 15:6, Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
• Matthew 12:37, For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
• Titus 3:11, Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

 
For what reason was the nobleman so hard on this man who had not expanded the money? He rebuffed the man since (1) he did not have the same interest in the kingdom as did the master; (2) he did not confide or trust in his master’s expectations; (3) his solitary concern was for himself (selfish), and (4) he did not do anything to utilize the money, he just held on to it, he did nothing.

• Matthew 13:12, For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
• Mark 4:25, For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
• Luke 8:18, Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

 
A church is like a family. Each member is different with his or her own identity and personality. No two members are exactly the same. They may have similarities, but they are different. Each member has a different job or assignment to perform. Again, they may have similarities, but each is different in what task they perform and how they perform their task. This does not mean that one person is better than the other just based upon the task they have been given. No single church member is more important than any other church member. We may all have a significant role to play, but that does not mean that the church cannot proceed forward if one is missing.
 
How do we know if there is a Tater Family in our church? No doubt we have all met someone like this family in our church. Some people that are like this family cause problems within the church either intentionally or unintentionally.
 
Meet the Tater Family:

• There is Pastor Dick Tater. He is or wants to always be the boss. He tells everyone what to do and he wants to be in charge all of the time.
• Here is Brother Speck Tater. He does not get involved. He sits back and watches everyone else do the work. He may be the first to criticize and is usually lazy.
• Sister Emma Tater worries more about what to wear than what goes on. She worries more on how to be like someone else and not what God has planned for her. She likes to copy other people and things, and she puts on an act.
• Brother Agi Tater likes to stir things up. He does more to contradict people than keeping the peace.
• Brother Common Tater just talks all the time and never seems to listen. He always has something to say about everything and everyone and likes to give play by play reports.

• Sister Fa Silly Tater wants to coordinate discussion but does not get involved. She thinks she is constantly having to teach others how to live.
• Brother Medi Tater thinks about everything but does nothing. He does not get involved in anything.
• Deacon Instant Tater wants things done right now. He cannot wait for others to get involved or for them to volunteer. He easily gets impatient.
• Sister Sweet Tater always talks nicely, never gets mad, or lets her feelings get hurt. She may display good fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. But is it sincere?

• Finally, we meet the Tater Tots. Those are the young ones, not necessarily of physical age, who watch the older ones. They learn from the actions and activities of the older ones on how to be and what to do. They are the next generation of church members that will become leaders within the church. What they see the older members do will determine how they grow in the faith. What example are they being given?

 
Like the nobleman in this story, God has given us gifts to use to support his Kingdom. Would we like to see the Kingdom develop and grow? Do we confide in God to rule and govern in a fair manner? Do we have concern for others' welfare as we do for ourselves? Do we faithfully use what God has given us?

God has given each of us something to work with. We have been given instructions and resources to build and expand God’s Kingdom. Have we used our talents (pounds) to multiply the Kingdom or just held on to it?