Altha and I have a couple of CDs in the bank. Over the last few years, the interest earned on our investments has dropped from over 5% to under 2%--not a very good return on our money!
In the parable of the "talents" (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus presents a picture of God as a property manager who “entrusts his possessions to his servants.” And being the successful businessman that he was, the property manager expected a maximum return on his investment. [Note: A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a common day laborer.]
Far better than any monetary remuneration, God has deposited His Life in us; thereby making us His investment! Paul calls this a “treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God has given us ‘talents’ and time to develop them. And remarkably, the ‘return’ on God's investment is contingent upon our faith and obedience.
Wouldn’t you like to assure that God gets a good return on His investment in you?
With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been [invested in] you (2 Timothy 1:14).
Greg,
ReplyDeleteThe servants who were successful in their investments on their master's behalf went from being trusted servants to actually becoming business partners with their master. That is quite a quantum jump in relationship, don't you agree?
Stan
I think it pictures for us our eternal rewards and positions of authority we will have in the spiritual realm, both now and forever.
ReplyDeleteGreg,
ReplyDeleteIf we are "training for reigning" then don't you think there's a substantial degree of "parallel paths" or overlays of eternity and the present that don't require the next life to realize and experience? The parable speaks of "entering into the joy of your Lord" present tense, not future. But if we condition ourselves to expect all of the "stuff" to have to wait for either after death or Christ's return then the entering into the joy of the Lord seems a little misleading.
Stan