The Story About Investment

"It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money.

“After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’

“The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master’s investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’

“The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’

“The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest."

‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.'

Another name for this scripture from Matthew 25 is “The Parable of the Talents” but I like The Message Bible’s title: The Story about Investment. I love that through parables (a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels), we receive a clearer picture of God’s heart and hopes for us as His followers.

The Willamette Christian Church family invests.

Consider dear ones Keith and Karen Lucas, who quietly and without fanfare regularly invest their resources to support those experiencing houselessness or difficulty in residency. Their love for those struggling in our communities provides dignity and worth, along with tangible help for those in need.

Or long-time member Ryan Johnston, whose years of investment have created a multi-state team of volunteer and paid leaders who serve as coaches for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The impact of this work is reflected in our schools and across our cities as student-athletes circle up to safely learn about and accept Jesus under the leadership of trusted coaches and educators.

And servant Kellie La Follette who, after suffering a debilitating injury which leaves her largely homebound, adjusted her service to lead our online community, multiple bible studies in her home, and to create a prayer ministry that literally covers hundreds upon hundreds of people across the world.

And, how about Tucker Fleischmann, who invests his time to lead worship for “God Behind Bars” in some of the toughest penal institutions in our country. We receive dozens of letters from inmates sharing about how Jesus has transformed their lives through that work.

These are just a few of the stories – and there are so many more. I can only imagine Jesus saying to each of these folks ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’ And they inspire me to seek to do the same. May we all respond to the challenge to risk and invest our lives for the pleasure of our King.

Grateful for you!

Chris Yarco
Executive Lead