compassion, and let him go, and forgave him his debt.
28 But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying. Pay me what you owe me.
29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.”
30 And he would not; but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told their lord all that was done.
32 Then the lord, after he called him, said to him “O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you wanted me to.
33 Shouldn’t you also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?”
34 And his lord was angry, and sent him to prison, till he paid all that he owed.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you, if you from your hearts do not forgive your brothers trespasses.

Once God gives you a gift, retention is not a guarantee. We know that King David prayed that God would not take His spirit from him (as had happened with King Saul). King David did not take for granted God’s gifts to him. So once God has saved us from the penalty of sin, (which is death), and has given us the GIFT of eternal life in the “World to Come,” we have an obligation of obedience to God. We must not take for granted what God has given us. Yet, that is exactly what Israel did, beginning with King David’s son Solomon.

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