One to none or five to eleven?

The parable of the talents begins with the words, “entrusted his property to them…each according to his ability” (Mt25;14-15 NIV). When we think of the current inequalities, now exacerbated by the pandemic, one cannot help wondering about the servants that got none or what could have been done to help the one who got one. The context of the parable is that it is an end-time parable grouped along with the parable of the ten virgins and the parable of the sheep and the goats. The implication is that we have a limited time to make a difference . There are no second chances at the Final Judgment. So for those of us seeking to empower and develop those in need, ‘right now’ is the time to act.

We see in the parable a need for holistic development, to address the underlying problems of a lack of knowledge about the Master’s character, a lack of gratitude, and giving into fear. Traditional development strategies would offer free education to improve capacity, and grants or soft loan opportunities unrelated to the person's fears or demonstrated capacity. Secular development strategies fail to recognize and deal with sin issues of laziness, bitterness, or lack of integrity. Faith-based strategies often fail to offer compassionate counsel, practical help, and inner healing for those who have lost trust, self-esteem, and hope because of being under the yoke of generational oppression . The person who learned enterprise as a fourth-grader running their lemonade stall with loving parents to help them and the one who left school in fourth grade to look after younger siblings while their single parent was at work are not beginning the capacity race at the same place. As development practitioners, we need to ask ourselves - What will help the servant with one talent to know and trust in a loving, just God? How can we help restore trust in people and systems that previously failed them so they can grow their God-given assets and gifts? Can we journey with them so we move from the ‘one to none’ team to the ‘five to eleven’ team?

As stewards of our soul, we need to ask ourselves how well we are doing with growing and multiplying what God has entrusted to us. Are we consumed with jealousy, bitterness, and insecurity as we look at the one who received five talents? Are we also believing a lie that God is not just and loving and has somehow deliberately overlooked our capacity? Do we understand that our mandate is not just to maintain and manage but to multiply?

Join us at Business Impact Growth as we seek to grow successful kingdom businesses that multiply resources and opportunities for community impact.

#kingdombusiness #Biblicalentrepreneurship #entrepreneurship #Impactbusiness #holisticdevelopment #identitybasedleadership

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