by Dr. Tom Blackaby
There are two parables of Jesus that can be very disturbing to those who read them. They are about a ruthless businessman or ruler, who leaves on a journey, but before going, he gives several of his servants money to invest while he is gone. In Matthew 25 the master give five talents to one servant, two talents to another and one talent (about 3 months wages) to the third servant, each one according to their ability. When he returns, the first two servants have doubled the investment, while the last hides it and returns it to his master just as it was given. The first two servants were rewarded with increased responsibility and were invited to “share in their Master’s joy.” The third servant was soundly rebuked, disgraced, and punished by being thrown “into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
In Luke 19, the nobleman gave 10 servants about one day’s wage each to invest. When he returns the first servant has increased his investment and gives back 11 minas from the one he was given. The next servant has made five from the one he was given. The third servant did just as the faithless servant described in Matthew did. He hid the money and gave only the principle back to the owner with no gain whatsoever. The nobleman soundly rebuked the third servant (we hear nothing of the remaining servants), takes the money that was entrusted to him and gives it to the first reporting servant.
In both cases the servants were at least intimidated by their master, if not afraid. And, in both cases the servants were rewarded according to how much gain they had achieved on the investment. Those who showed no growth on the principle were considered lazy, slothful, unintelligent, and were duly punished by their master. Those who demonstrated an ability to invest wisely, work hard to increase the principle, and did what their master expected of them, were duly rewarded and praised, and they were able to share in their master’s joy. In the Luke account, the faithful servants became rulers themselves, according to their ability.
Although parables can be over-analyzed, and often twisted and used for a wide variety of purposes, the consensus among scholars is that they generally represent one main thought or idea. The rest of the details are given in support of that truth. The key for both stories is that the master expected an increase in his investment. The last thing the master wanted was to receive back the same amount he had entrusted to each servant. Perhaps it was a competence test to determine which of the servants were worthy of greater responsibility, or which of the servants had a heart like his master. In any case, both masters expected a substantial return on their investment.
I believe Christ did not have commerce in mind when he told these parables. Money was never his focus nor do we have any record of Christ multiplying gold coins or precious stones for his portfolio. So what is the spiritual application?
I believe Paul said it best, “Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were not yet able to receive it. In fact, you are still not able, because you are still fleshly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and living like ordinary people?” (1Cor 3:1-3). And in Hebrews it says, “We have a great deal to say about this, and it’s difficult to explain, since you have become slow to understand. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God’s revelation. You need milk, not solid food. Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature–for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil” (Heb 5:11-14)
As a leader in a church, I wish I were able to be a little more like the two masters and cast people out when they show no spiritual growth over time! They are like the lazy servants who are content to play while the master is gone and avoid any resemblance of hard work in the kingdom. I remember when my sister was hired by a church in the South to be their summer youth leader. She planned a mission trip to the northern United States that was of great interest to the youth because they loved to travel. But when they saw the work schedule for the trip, they were aghast! Where were the amusement parks, waterslides, and shopping malls? Why was there so little free time to play and relax? Even their parents were upset that more recreation time was not included. My sister tried to explain that the mission trip was to help underprivileged children and not to entertain their own church youth. Several youth dropped out from going on the trip, and my sister was forced to modify the schedule to include at least one day at the amusement park along the way.
The term “vacationary” is now commonly used to describe Christians who use their vacation time to go on a mission trip. But it seems many only want to go somewhere safe, with good food, a nice place to relax at the end of the day, and where there is good shopping nearby. I am told of certain “desirable” locations, where the same church is being painted three and four times a year by visiting “vacationaries” as a make-work project so they can say they accomplished something. After all, you wouldn’t want to go anywhere where you might have to sacrifice your comfort or have to boil your water before you drink it. Reminds me of when I lived in Europe and saw American children overseas who will only eat lunch sandwiches made on white Wonder bread, Skippy peanut butter with Welches grape jelly. Nothing else is acceptable regardless of what the country has to offer. This was non-negotiable to them. They would not try the local bread (even though it was incredibly tasty and healthy) or the local cheeses and lunch spreads. In other words they were unwilling to grow and expand their palate and experience new things. They wanted to bring “home” with them wherever they went. Sad really.
So what kind of return should a leader expect on his spiritual investment in the lives of his followers? According to these parables, the return will vary according to the ownership and initiative people assume for their personal growth. Some grow exponentially, others more modestly, and others not at all. But what I find too often the case is that leaders have given up expecting anything at all. They will teach Bible study after Bible study, preach sermon after sermon, lead home group after home group, and their only criterion for success is if people show up. There is no expectation for growth in their lives. There is no anticipation that marriages will be stronger, youth will more decidedly avoid temptations, members will more quickly volunteer in ministry, and that new ministries will be started because of the investment in their lives.
What do you expect to see as a return on your investment? Is it even measurable? I should hope so. More people going on meaningful and challenging mission trips (not vacationaries), more young people being called into ministry, fewer break-ups in marriages, fewer disputes among members, more people being brought into church, more people being saved, and so on. What changes do you expect to see in the lives of your people? I hope you have SOME expectations, some goals, some measurable objectives.
If your people are not praying more, not studying their Bible more, not responding more to the Spirit’s activity in their lives, then you will have to ask the hard question about what it is you are actually doing as a leader. Maybe the fault for the lack of response is not found among the people. Maybe it is with their leader who has no plan, no expectations, no goals, and is happy coasting along. But then, you will one day stand before YOUR Master who will ask for an account of what you did with the investment He put in you! Something to think about.