self-fulfilling prophecy

In Jesus' parable of the talents, the five and two talent servants greet the master on his return with respect and gratitude, and give him double the talents given them.  The master commends both servants equally, inviting them into his joy.  The one talent servant greets the master with criticism and complaint, saying, "I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.  Here you have what is yours (Matthew 25:24-25).  The master fulfills this servant's prophecy with a harsh and critical banishment.  This parable's message: the "God" we worship is the God we get; either the great and gracious God revealed in Scripture and Savior, or the small and selfish god of our own invention.  

We live in a culture which mostly believes in the latter, lesser god.  You can see it in our ingratitude and in our rage at any kind of deprivation.  Thankfully, the parables of Jesus are replete with images of the great and generous God: the shepherd who goes after the wanderer; the woman who searches for the lost coin; the father who reaches out to both wandering sons; the landowner who pays generously, even to last-minute workers; the groom who desires that his wedding banquet be full of guests.  Is this The God that you and I believe in, and how will others know of Him unless we show and tell of Him?