Think Again!

84 • Think Again: Transformation That Yields a Return on God’s Investment

(20 years of wages). The first two went to work to provide a return on the investor’s money, but the third fearfully buried the money in the ground. After a long time, the wealthy man returned to find that the first two had doubled his money, much to the delight of the venture capitalist. Commending each one, he promised to reward their work with even more responsibility and a share in the master’s wealth. Investors are thrilled when their risk is turned to reward. But the third steward said, “I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.” Jesus reveals God’s venture capitalist nature by saying: “You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.” The master took the wasted talent and gave it to the one who had ten, casting the lazy servant into the outer darkness. Joy or Frustration The venture capitalist is especially frustrated by the cowardly steward who does nothing with the investment. The investor made the sacrifice of giving up money, when it could have been enjoyed. Then when he discovered that there was no return on his investment, not even a little from a bank account, it was seen as a monumental waste. The disappointment is twofold: “I could have enjoyed that money I gave you, and now there is nothing to show for it.”

Jesus makes clear that God is generous in his provision, but that there is a clear expectation for you to multiply that initial