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Return on investment
Jeff WeinkaufMatthew 25:14-28
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
In this parable, the point seems to be obedience. Success is not being measured so much in the total amount the servant is able to grow his master's wealth (proportionate to the other servant). Rather it is being measured in his diligence to manage the resources of his master well.
God has made us each one with unique gifts and talents. Into each one He has deposited dreams, aspirations, levels of motivation and skills.
The fact that my fellow servant was given more or less to attend to is not the point. Although if we're honest, sometimes we struggle with that. Instead, it's about the application of our gifts and talents to the work God has placed before US. Whatever it is, we should do it to the best of our abilities. Return on the investment the master has made in us. Failure in this case is to let the resources of the master lie fallow. To spectate only staying out of the race. Faithful with what I've been given. Diligence to grow it. Being careful not to become distracted by comparison.
My goal is to hear the words ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
God be glorified in the work we do to grow your kingdom! May our sacrifice be a sweet smell and our efforts be pleasing to you. Amen
