Jesus was a versatile communicator, ably connecting with multiple audiences. To teach about the realm of God, he told stories of sheep, vineyards, bread-baking and house-cleaning, seeds, crime victims, rebellious sons, foolish bridesmaids. This week we explore a parable set in the world of finance, a story of investment, stewardship, trust and mistrust. Like last week’s, this parable illuminates Jesus’ warning: “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” – of the final judgment, that is.
To give his followers a clue as to what it means to live “awake,” he tells a story about three servants to whom a man entrusted his wealth:
“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.”
A simple enough story on the surface; if you read to the end (spoiler alert!), you know that the two who invested their funds were rewarded, while the one who protected his master’s investment was roundly condemned. We'll focus on those another day. For now let’s consider how the language of investment can draw us into the Life of God.
"Investment" is a word we are throwing around a lot at my church of late. As we invite people to make pledges of financial giving on which we will base our 2015 budget, we are inviting investment in what God is up to at Christ the Healer. We are not "seeking support." Investment is active, participatory – when we invest in something, we look for returns, maybe even work to improve the returns.
The life of faith might be seen as an exercise in wealth management. Our God, who made it all and owns it all has invested tremendous wealth in us. God has given us life, gifts, relationships, work, ministries, joy, love – you name it – not to keep and hoard but to tend and nurture for growth. I believe God wants to see great returns on the investment God makes with us – our children growing healthy and independent, our marriages becoming more than the sum of the two partners, our work lives fruitful in ways that expand possibilities for others, us all working for peace and equity.
All of this “good fruit,” to use Jesus’ phrase, rests on our returning the trust God has invested in us by our investing in one another, in this world, and in the mission of God to reclaim, restore and renew all things in Christ.
What are some assets you feel you have been given?
Make a comprehensive list – and don’t forget to include the intangibles, spiritual and emotional and relational gifts, along with the quantifiable ones.
In what ways have you invested these assets so they grow?
Are you clinging to any, afraid to risk losing them?
This is good prayer fodder. Let’s spend some time chatting with God today about our answers to these questions, asking God for some “stock tips,” places God particularly wants us to invest ourselves.
Jesus invites us to step out in faith, investing our energy and resources, not sure of the return. The faithfulness God seeks is in the act of investing, not in the dividends.
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