The Investment
Last night at Bible study we were discussing all the nuances of our salvation found in Jesus and one of the things that came up was the parable of the talents. It wasn’t a lengthy conversation, more of a passing reference, but the Spirit of God whispered some revelation regarding its meaning. Let me share with you my discovery.
Matthew 25:14-30 contains the Parable of the Talents. When I was a new believer I assumed that this parable was referring to special abilities, such as athletic, creative, or artistic aptitudes. But, this interpretation was mistaken. Jesus is actually referring to a weight used to measure money. The “master” in the parable has invested a sum of money in his servants expecting a return. Now that’s interesting for we can see the obvious parallels. The Master of the tale – obviously a picture of the Father and His Son – has invested several things. What things you may ask?
a) First and foremost, God has given to us the gift of life.
b) He has given unto all mankind, His Son, a gift of eternal life, for all who will receive Him.
c) Lastly, Jesus has deposited His Spirit and Grace into our spirits.
Near the conclusion of the parable the “master” calls his servants together to report on their investments. Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, Master, you entrusted to me five talents; see, here I have gained five talents more. His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you entrusted two talents to me; here I have gained two talents more. His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. He who had received one talent also came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a harsh and hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you had not winnowed [the grain]. So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is your own. But his master answered him, You wicked and lazy and idle servant! Did you indeed know that I reap where I have not sowed and gather [grain] where I have not winnowed? Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will be furnished richly so that he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away. Matthew 25:19-29
Obviously the master had an expectation that his servants would make investments, receiving a return. True servants see it no other way. In fact the point could be made that grateful servants work hard to see that their master gets his return. The servant, with a dim view of his master, doesn’t work at all – he hides and buries it. He obviously has no relationship with the master, projecting onto his master his personal fears, and stinginess. Interestingly enough he is still viewed as a servant by the master – although ungrateful, disobedient, and stingy.
The take away from this parable is that there will be an accounting based on what is done with the Father’s investment of life, His Son and His Spirit. Presently we find that we exist in a Laodicean Church age of cheap grace, and no expectations. Everyone receives a trophy, all are treated the same, and God is made in our image. But in this parable, each servant is not treated the same. They are rewarded differently based on what they did with the masters investment. Any human that draws breath is a servant of something or someone – whether we like it or not – as Bob Dylan observed many years ago.
Peter, the apostle, adds a reminder in 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! Again the Heavenly expectation is that we will grow what has been invested in us. You may ask, “How is grace invested in us?” Over the years I have learned to despise the acrostic for grace as being God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. I despise it because it doesn’t define how we are to respond to this grace. I prefer the following definition: grace = the empowerment to do the will of God; to respond to God’s riches It’s interesting that the Greek word for grace is charis. Charis is used synonymously with the Spirit of God. Grace and the Spirit go hand in hand. I know from Scripture that the Spirit has been given to us for more than just assuring our salvation. He is our Source and Supply of Supernatural Empowerment to be molded into the image of Jesus. I grow His Supernatural Unction, or Fervor as I agree and cooperate with His whispers in my Spirit. Those whispers come in the form of thoughts to be conformed to Jesus, His Word, or examples. For example I may have a sudden desire to be more loving. I’ve learned that no good thing exists in me. When these thoughts cross my “mind” (the interpreter of our spirits) it’s an invitation to grow spiritually, and come to know Jesus. I may develop a certain interest in or desire to pray, fast, evangelize, memorize Scripture, worship, fellowship, heal the sick, or prophesy. Again those thoughts are whispers from God’s Spirit to grow, an invitation to get a return on our Masters investment. That is why Paul is so adamant about not quenching the Spirit’s Fire (1 Thess. 5:19). I have personally experienced His Grace in several areas of life while my spiritual dullness dismissed the invitation. In fact many times I have taken this grace for granted only to find later that my actions, performance and behavior were not based on any good merit of my own but only by God’s Precious Grace. On one hand, I’ve known people to receive God’s grace to free them from addictions and demonic strongholds, only to turn back later spurning the gift and failing miserably. I believe that there will be weeping in Heaven over these missed opportunities. People are quick to remind me, “But Robert there is no crying in Heaven.” To which I respond by reminding them, “Then what does the Bible mean that He will wipe every tear from their eyes?” Rev. 21:4
Our salvation is free, bought and purchased by the precious Blood of Jesus, but it will cost you your life to grow, and invest it. A master would expect nothing less from his servants, and a grateful servant would expect nothing less than to give it.
