Today we continue the sermon started last week. Our text is the familiar story of the talents in Matthew 25. We are concentrating on the care of the earth and its environment as an example of a talent - a responsibility - that God has given us. God has entrusted to us this property to care for. We are asking what it means to be a responsible steward of creation? And what are the consequences if we bury this talent?

When you listen to the tone of a person's voice you can often catch a feeling of how serious a situation is. However, when a person's words are put in print, you sometimes have to read between the lines to capture the tone, the feeling, the sense of urgency. Reading this parable in Matthew, one can sense the tone of seriousness and urgency as you read between the lines.

When I am …