Theme: Let’s live thankful

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Restless, the king went through his books. He struggled to sleep and decided to determine if there is anyone owing him any money. At one page he stopped while carefully examining the content. Shocked by his finding, at sunrise he summoned for one of his officials.

“Where is my money?" the king shouted as the official entered the room to stand before the king. The official suddenly turned pale. He owed the king R20 million. Slowly the officer replied: "I'm sorry king. I do not have the money. We are bankrupt. I will not be able to pay my debt." This made the king even more furious. He looked at one of his subjects with this command: "Sell all this man’s belongings. Thereafter, take him and his family to the market square and sell them as slaves!”

In total fear the official knelt before the king, begging for mercy, "King, please. I beg you for one last chance. I promise to pay back every cent I owe you . . . “ The king could see this man was sorry. He therefore decided to show him mercy and write off his debt.

As the officer left the palace, he found a man on the market square who owed him R9000. Enraged at seeing the man, the official grabbed him by his shirt demanding his money. The debtor begged for mercy, "Please sir, I beg you for one last chance. I promise to pay back every cent I owe you.” This time the official did not show any mercy but rather ordered the man to be thrown into jail.

After hearing about this incident, the king summoned for the official again. This time the king showed no mercy. "I wrote of your debt of R20 million," he shouted at the official, white with rage, "and you could not even show mercy to a man owing you R9000!" Hereafter the king ordered that the man be thrown into jail where he would be tortured.

In Matthew 18:35 Jesus closes this parable with the words: “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Think for a moment back upon your life. What has God forgiven you for? Now, who in your life do you need to show the same mercy towards? Does your attitude reflect your gratitude for God’s forgiveness – or are you like the official who forgot what the King did for him? God bless.

Father God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus to die for us on the cross so we can truly receive forgiveness of our sins and have a relationship with You. Help me to show mercy to (name the people you struggle to forgive). I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Are you thankful that God forgave you or that He helped you forgive someone that harmed you? Share your thoughts with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.