Day 11 of 11

NIV

Matthew 25:14-19

‘A man going on a journey…called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them.’ Matthew 25:14-19, Berean Study Bible

Reflection: Entrepreneurs

Further reading: You can read the rest of this sobering story in Matthew 25:20-30

Investment and insurance company commercials! Trust the images they espouse and ‘you’ll be laughing’. Personally, I find them laughable. But in light of eternity, they’re arresting.

Investment is serious business in the now-and-not-yet. There is actual gold to be gained. There are resources to mobilize and aptitudes to hone. There is profit to be made…and there are consequences.

To begin with, this investment story Jesus tells seems to be more about the curiously varying talents. Hmmm. Some more, some less. We then become co-operators with the servants as they go about their business. (Immediately we identify with one or another. We’re meant to!) But the punch in this story is actually the return of the master. That’s what drives their decision-making and that’s what keeps you and me from being foolish/worthless/wicked/lazy with what our Father has given us on loan. Doesn’t your heart skip a beat at the thought of a face-to-face encounter with the Master, when, on his return he greets you with, “Well done, good and faithful ______________! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!” (Matthew 25:23 NIV)

Prayer: I’m longing to enter into that joy, Master. You have entrusted me with _____________________, _________________, ________________. Give me inspiration by your living Spirit to wisely, creatively and practically invest these precise resources for the flourishing of your Kingdom and for our shared eternal delight.