Investment

Luke 19:11-27 (The Message)

11 While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God's kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story:

12-13 "There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them,

'Operate with this until I return.'

14 "But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: 'We don't want this man to rule us.'

15 "When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.

16 "The first said, 'Master, I doubled your money.'

17 "He said, 'Good servant! Great work! Because you've been trustworthy in this small job, I'm making you governor of ten towns.'

18 "The second said, 'Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.'

19 "He said, 'I'm putting you in charge of five towns.'

20-21 "The next servant said, 'Master, here's your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don't suffer fools gladly.'

22-23 "He said, 'You're right that I don't suffer fools gladly—and you've acted the fool! Why didn't you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?'

24 "Then he said to those standing there, 'Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.'

25 "They said, 'But Master, he already has double . . .'

26 "He said, 'That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.

27 "'As for these enemies of mine who petitioned against my rule, clear them out of here. I don't want to see their faces around here again.'"

This is a major parable from Jesus, and it's deeply compelling.

What would you do if someone from the "royal family" gave you some money and put you in charge of a portion of the kingdom in their absence?

How would you rule if you were suddenly "the man?"

We have to remember that Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for what is coming next. They've had thoughts about who will be most powerful when Jesus "comes into his kingdom." What they don't understand yet is the nature of that kingdom, and what Jesus will be asked to sacrifice.

And so, this parable.

What happens when the master trusts his servants with his treasure?

This scripture seems to say that the master doesn't want servants who play it safe. He expects the investment to multiply...or maybe he at least expects that his servants will trust him enough to take a chance and try.

What keeps us from trying? What keeps us afraid?

What makes us just put our portion of the kingdom under the mattress for safekeeping?

Perhaps we think it's better to keep what we have than to risk loss, and the wrath of the master.
But as followers in the way of Jesus, that's not the kind of master we have. His preference is that we trust enough to risk.

That's good news in these troubling times...right? We can't get so afraid that we stop trying to build the kingdom. We just can't. Fear can't win.

Perfect love removes fear...and we don't fear our master.

Prayer: Father, we pray that you would show us how to take chances in multiplying the love and grace of Jesus in our world.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.