In the Gospel of Luke Jesus tells us of the nobleman who gives money to ten of his servants while he goes away to another country. He tells them to “do business” with the money until he gets back. When he returns, the first servant shows a 10-fold return on the master’s money and is commended and given charge of 10 cities. The second servant is rewarded with 5 cities after showing a 5-fold return on investment. The 3rd servant however, buried the money, because of fear of punishment should the investment be lost. That servant incurs the anger of the nobleman. His money is taken away and given to the one who had ten. Most of us are familiar with that story, but here’s a question to ponder. What happened to the other seven servants? Jesus never tells us about them. Why? We don’t know.
Let me suggest an answer. Could it be that they represent us? We have all been given marketplace resources with an expectation that we “do business” with them until the return of Christ. Could it be that God is waiting to see how we will respond? Will we turn a profit and be entrusted with shepherding His people, playing a role in the transformation of the Kingdom? Or will we simply look out for ourselves, playing it safe against coming disasters and end-times rumors? http://youtu.be/EnoOOtxe-GM
Bob & Linda Ryan, Market 70
