by Bob Vander Plaats
In Matthew 25, Jesus taught a lesson about servants who were given “talents” (a measure of money) and how each was held accountable for how he spent – or buried – the gift he was given.
American Christians should similarly beware of burying one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given: our vote.
Preachers have applied this “Parable of the Talents” to many of God’s gifts, encouraging the faithful to be wise stewards of the finances, time, and spiritual abilities God has given us.
The opportunity to choose our leaders is no less a gift from God – which people in many nations and many times would envy – and therefore, no less a responsibility to be used for God’s glory.
American Christians should similarly beware of burying one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given: our vote.
I understand that some of the leaders we’ve been given to vote for are poor choices. In some races, there are no godly leaders to choose from.
But in November, you will be given more than just one race, more than one “talent” to steward. Will you bury all your votes in the sand to spite a single race?
Christians have been given the gift of speaking into who will serve as presidents and governors, lawmakers in the legislature, even judges in some cases. We have ballot measures and constitutional amendments to consider.
For even when God’s people were held captive in a foreign land, the Prophet Jeremiah wrote to the people the words of the Lord, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7).
How much more are we called to seek the welfare of our cities and states when it’s not a foreign land we can impact, but our own?
I’ve said frequently that this year’s election is the greatest contrast of worldview in my lifetime. There are clear lines being drawn, and much is at stake: whether we save lives or discard them, whether parental rights will be honored or severed by the state, whether we protect our girls or trample them to redefine gender, whether religious liberty will be affirmed or eroded, whether or not we stand with Israel in defeating terrorism, and more. All of that and the “big” issues, like immigration and the economy, too.
It’s not as simple as Republican or Democrat, but in many races today, it’s as simple as right and wrong. And how can Christians remain silent when right and wrong are on the ballot?
In Matthew 25:29, Jesus taught that for the servant who used his gifts well, “more will be given,” but for the one who buries his gifts in the sand, “Even what he has will be taken away.”
We’ve been given the gift of choosing our leaders and choosing the direction of our country. We dare not risk that being taken away by burying our vote in the sand.
Bob Vander Plaats is president & CEO of The FAMiLY Leader, a non-partisan organization that equips Christians to biblically engage with government.