How do you make money? “Buy low, sell high,” right? Buy used American blue jeans at resale shops for $2.00 a pair, then when you have enough to fill a shipping container, ship the jeans to Japan and sell them for $200.00 a pair. That’s an incredible profit! (Saw this on TV’s “SWAP SHOP.”)
But investing is easier. Buy shares of the Blue Jean Resale business, let the managers do the work, and in a year your shares may be worth three times what you invested. Invest your capital ($$) in several areas (diversify) and a majority of them will grow, while a minority may shrink. If you are well diversified, you should see a profit.
Jesus told the Parable of the Talents. A wealthy man gives to his slaves talents ($) to invest while he is away. One invests his talent and earns ten more talents. The master rewards him with authority over TEN CITIES—and invites him to “share in your master’s joy”! (Matthew 25:21.) The second invests his talent and earns five more. He gets FIVE CITIES—and the same invitation to joy. But a third, a “risk-averse investor,” hides his talent so that he will have something to return to the master. And the master punishes him for not putting it into a bank to at least earn interest.
What is the point of this “PARABLE FOR THE BUSINESS MAJORS”?
The point is: What are you doing with your talents?
Are you serving God? If so, don’t be discouraged! He sees your faithfulness and He will reward you, not only with authority and leadership, but with MORE TALENTS—and a share in His JOY!
“Take the talent away from the worthless slave and give it to him who has ten talents … For to everyone who has, more will be given” Luke 19:24,26.
God, give us courage to take risks, to serve, to be willing to engage in many activities for Your Kingdom. Reveal our talents and gifts so we can serve Your Kingdom most efficiently, doing what You made us to do. May we SHARE IN OUR MASTER’S JOY!
Read Luke 19.
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