Taking Care of Business
And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business with this until I come back.” Luke 19:13
Do Business – Jesus spoke more about money than He did about heaven. He knew where we are most confused. Here Jesus provides us with a startling parable about economic expectation. We know this story, but we rarely reflect on its dramatic conclusion. Jesus tells us that the one who safeguarded what was entrusted to him but took no risks on behalf of the master is unworthy of even what was given. His assets will be forcibly taken from him and given to the one who risked the most.
Is that the way you handle God’s investment in you? Are you pushing the edge of the envelope, attempting to do all that you can with what you have been given in order that you may deliver the maximum return to the Master?
Let’s not be confused about this. The Greek word here finds its root in pragma (something to be done). Our word (pragmateuomai) simply means, “taking care of business, to be occupied in trade.” This is not limited to spiritual gifts. This is about the daily give and take of the work-world. It’s about putting all that you have into service for the King while He is absent. The underlying assumption is this: It’s not yours to do with as you please. Your current assets, all of them, are on loan to you in order for you to maximize the return for the owner. That means your time, your natural talent and your treasure. Are you using all of it for His maximum gain?
Consider the fate of the poor servant who thought the goal was safekeeping. He is stripped of what he has and cast out of the kingdom as an unfaithful servant. He didn’t take risks. He didn’t venture forth. He didn’t trade to the max. And he is severely judged for his cowardice. Who do you think God wants as a steward? The one who makes sure nothing bad can happen or the one who risks it all for the sake of the Kingdom? In God’s economics, failure is better than fear and trying is better than timidity.
Everyone is involved in pragmateuomai. We all have assets and we all interact with the world. We are all “traders.” But we are not all adventurers, venture capitalists, explorers, inventors or champions for the Kingdom. Far too many of us squander our assets on everything but return on investment. We spend our trading potential on items that have no serviceable use for the Kingdom. We think accumulating is the same as investing. We fear risk because we do not believe that God will provide. That kind of economics results in Luke 19:26 (“take even what he has”). Jesus calls these people His enemies!
What kind of return on investment are you producing?
