“…and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.” Matthew 25:27
When I was in my first professional position after grad school, I remember I participated in the 401K program. I don’t remember all the details but I do remember that my “investments” (and I use that term lightly) were yielding about 15% between interest and company contributions, etc. Fifteen percent!!! Well, as you well know, interest on our investments has dwindled considerably. It is rather annoying; and with bank fees now sometimes it’s hard to just hold on to what you are depositing.
When we make an investment we do so hoping to increase the value of what we are investing. Isn’t that the point of making an investment? The definition of investment is “the outlay of money usually for income or profit.” (i)
The parable of the talents has several applications, one accurate interpretation but several applications. The one I want to focus on today is the idea of investing the resources/abilities God has given us for the kingdom of God. It appears in the parable that God anticipates/expects us to utilize the “talents” He gives us for kingdom purposes.
If you recall each of three servants were given talents by the master. One received five talents, one received three and one received one – “to each according to his own ability.” V. 15
The “talents” God gives each one of us may or may not be financial resources. They may be abilities or opportunities or skills or giftedness or challenges. I don’t know what they might be in your life but I know you have been granted by the Father His resources for kingdom purposes. I also know He did not give them to us for simply our own enjoyment or benefit. He is not expecting us to hoard these “talents” and bury them, unwilling to invest them.
How are you investing your “talents” for the King and His Kingdom so that when He returns He will receive back His own with interest? Rather than focusing on what you don’t have, ponder today, “How am I investing with what I do have?”
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
