Talk's Value!

Talk is cheap! Perhaps that is why everyone can afford to do so much talking regardless of social or economic status. It seems that most everyone has plenty to say. In fact some, even when they have "nothing" to say insist on saying it anyway! Even with the monthly cost of cell phone service, that is relatively cheap for all the talking that goes on all day long. Teens are constantly texting. Friends are constantly phoning. There is Instant Messaging, tweeting on Twitter, Facebooking with hundreds of friends at a time, etc. However, though it is great to be so connected with others, how much value is there in most of that communication? Where is the real value found in what is being said? Is it not in that which FOLLOWS?

Consider one of the parable's of Jesus.
"(28) "What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' (29) And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. (30) And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I GO, SIR,' BUT DID NOT GO. (31) Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. (32) For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him." ( Matthew 21:28-32 ESV)

Now, Jesus' point of this parable related to those of His listeners who were awaiting the Messiah, but were not willing to accept Him now that He had come. Though they claimed to be living obedient to God, they were in fact rejecting God's Will while others were accepting it. However, as we consider the parable of the two sons in its simplicity, how much did the words of the second son cost him? Nothing of his time! Neither anything relative to expending his energy! Therefore, what was the real value of his words? Perhaps we would admit his lack of FOLLOW THROUGH had a cost with regard to the view his father would have had of him. The first son, on the other hand -- though he refused at first, his conscience seemed to persuade him to go and work.

Talk is cheap! Words can come easy. Statements flow freely, but with little if any cost when there is no FOLLOW THROUGH. It appears far too easy today for people to say they will do something and then not do so. That means either someone else ends up adding something else to their full list of things to do or it just doesn't get done. Though this may be distressing relative to life in this world, how much more so when it relates to spiritual things. Let us acknowledge by our life action that what gives talk its value is when it is FOLLOWED BY the expenditure of time and energy. There may be times when the FOLLOW THROUGH will come at a higher cost than first anticipated, but if we have said it, the clear expectation ought to be that we will do it! May those around us come to understand us to be of those who can be taken at their word.

Have a great day OFFERING SPEECH ASSESSED AS OF GODLY WORTH!
Carl

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