The religious freedoms guaranteed to citizens of this country in the 1st amendment of the Constitution appear to be eroding.  Hate speech regulations, threats of removing tax exempt status to churches, and forced hirings within religious organizations have led many to wonder if we really are the ‘land of the free.’

We in the Christian community want to lay the blame at the feet of those in Hollywood and Washington but in all actuality the buck most likely stops at our own door.  In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches about wasted resources in a parable about loaned money. 

Three individuals receive differing amounts of ‘talents’ and are expected to do something useful with them.  The first two individuals double their investments while the last buries his in the ground and earns nothing.  The first two wise investors are commended for their efforts and given more responsibility.  The unwise steward not only gets reprimanded but he also loses the one ‘talent’ he did possess.

Could it be that the Christian community within the United States has wasted too many opportunities over the last few decades?  Infighting, denominational prejudices, immoral lifestyles and errant scriptural interpretations have all led to a decline in baptisms and church growth.  And yet Christianity is thriving in countries such as Russia, China, and Africa; countries not known for giving carte blanche to religious groups.

God doesn’t need faith-friendly politicians and enlightened entertainment executives to get His word out. Christianity began and flourished under one of the most religiously repressive governments of all time. Those early believers used their ‘talents’ with no regard to their own well-being and God multiplied them.  If we in this country don’t start using what abilities and freedoms we do have left, we may find ourselves holding an empty bag. 

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