SECURE ENOUGH TO DARE
The first came before him, saying, "Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more." And he said to him, "Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities." Luke 19:16, 17, R.S.V.
Imagine an investment counselor coming to you with a surefire deal to get a two-to-one return on an investment. You would no doubt be keenly interested and would begin reaching for your checkbook. If he were to offer a five-to-one return, however, you would probably feel rather apprehensive about the risks involved and ask for time to think over the proposition.
But if the investment counselor were to offer you a ten-to-one return, you would probably think, That's far too risky! I wonder if this fellow is in trouble with the Securities and Exchange Commission. People lose their shirts on this kind of daring speculation. I'm going to play it safe.
Yet in Jesus' parable, this is the man who received the most lavish affirmation! He was bold enough, with broad enough vision, to venture into a project of major proportions. It held the promise of being a stunning success...or a monumental failure. And the money belonged to someone else!
Perhaps that is the key. He had been asked to invest that money on behalf of another person: his Master. Certainly he asked himself, "What if I invest it in a daring project, and something goes wrong? Will He be outraged at me, and condemn me for making an honest try? Or will He at least be glad that I was willing to reach for something of consequence?" In the end, it was his confidence in his Master that led him to manage the money boldly. He was not only commended; he was given the responsibility of managing ten cities.
But Jesus' parable isn't primarily about money. It's about people who feel that the surest way to retain God's favor is to live tiny, conventional, risk-free lives. It's a message about a Master who wraps His people in such intense security that they will be willing to make big plans for Him. If something goes wrong, He will say, "I'm delighted that at least you were willing to try. Here! I have more resources for you; try again!"
The Master called the servant "good and faithful" because he understood the heart of the Master--which made him secure enough to dare!
The first came before him, saying, "Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more." And he said to him, "Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities." Luke 19:16, 17, R.S.V.
Imagine an investment counselor coming to you with a surefire deal to get a two-to-one return on an investment. You would no doubt be keenly interested and would begin reaching for your checkbook. If he were to offer a five-to-one return, however, you would probably feel rather apprehensive about the risks involved and ask for time to think over the proposition.
But if the investment counselor were to offer you a ten-to-one return, you would probably think, That's far too risky! I wonder if this fellow is in trouble with the Securities and Exchange Commission. People lose their shirts on this kind of daring speculation. I'm going to play it safe.
Yet in Jesus' parable, this is the man who received the most lavish affirmation! He was bold enough, with broad enough vision, to venture into a project of major proportions. It held the promise of being a stunning success...or a monumental failure. And the money belonged to someone else!
Perhaps that is the key. He had been asked to invest that money on behalf of another person: his Master. Certainly he asked himself, "What if I invest it in a daring project, and something goes wrong? Will He be outraged at me, and condemn me for making an honest try? Or will He at least be glad that I was willing to reach for something of consequence?" In the end, it was his confidence in his Master that led him to manage the money boldly. He was not only commended; he was given the responsibility of managing ten cities.
But Jesus' parable isn't primarily about money. It's about people who feel that the surest way to retain God's favor is to live tiny, conventional, risk-free lives. It's a message about a Master who wraps His people in such intense security that they will be willing to make big plans for Him. If something goes wrong, He will say, "I'm delighted that at least you were willing to try. Here! I have more resources for you; try again!"
The Master called the servant "good and faithful" because he understood the heart of the Master--which made him secure enough to dare!
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