Matthew 25:14-30
         Standing still is actually moving backwards

14 "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I  have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the  joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the  joy of your master.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and  gathering where you did not winnow; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not  winnowed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken  away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' 

       Interesting reading isn't it? What's this? I can get in trouble for not being industrious enough or not going the extra mile? It's not good enough to simply do the correct thing?
   
        The short answer is no, it's not good enough.  I recall the story of the man who was being chastised at the pearly gates for the state of his marriage. The man argued that he had never been unfaithful, never cheated on his spouse. Of course the answer came right back at him. You are not merely supposed to remain faithful, you are supposed to love , a verb, it's not a passive statement. 

          Then there is my most wonderful son. We were told when he was very young that he was gifted. This boy knew it in his own terms already. It was probably came as a surprise  to him that his mother and I told him more would therefore be expected of him. Say what?  To those who are given more, more is expected.   

            We know this concept, it's rooted in this scripture reading. It means we simply can't accept the status quo. With whatever we have we are called to action, to love, to do more. This is how we grow in love and faith and character. If we do not, we are shrinking in character, shriveling in our potential to be what created us to be. After all, God created you to be a perfect fit into the jigsaw puzzle of his creation.

         God gives us so very much and like the wheat in the field, we are to grow, stretch  and reach toward the son.