Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest men in the world, is known as an astute businessman and philanthropist. His companies have thrived through the decades, yet he does not micromanage his vast, varied enterprises. It is said that he carefully chooses the person to head one of his acquired companies, lays out his goals and expectations, and then leaves that person to run the organization, usually checking on results annually.
This approach has worked very well for Mr. Buffett, as it motivates the people entrusted with these enterprises to achieve successful results, since they know that an evaluation of their performance will come. The same approach is found in a parable that Jesus Christ used to make an important spiritual point.
The story unfolds in the gospel of Luke. “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business [“occupy” in the King James Version] till I come’” (Luke 19:12–13). In Jesus’ day, minas and talents of gold or silver represented enormous sums of money.
Later in the story, this nobleman returned and called his servants to account for the money he had entrusted to them. The first servant reported that he had earned ten times the original amount, and the master rewarded him with authority over ten cities. The second servant had earned five times the amount and was given authority over five cities. The third servant, however, admitted that he had hid the money out of fear and had done nothing with it. The master reprimanded him for his inaction, took back his mina, and gave it to the first servant (Luke 19:15–26).
The point of the parable is that Jesus Christ, represented by the nobleman, expects His servants to be productive. John, quoting Jesus, said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8). What kind of “fruit” was He referring to? The Great Commission that Jesus gave shortly before He ascended to Heaven gives important details: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20).
Collectively, God’s Church has the important responsibility of carrying out this commission, yet every one of us is also individually responsible for our personal spiritual growth. The Apostle Peter put it this way: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Paul also emphasized this when he wrote, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
This important principle is illustrated in the parable of the minas: “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48).
Consider the talents, abilities, and physical gifts that God has given you. Are you using them in a productive way to serve others, while growing in grace and knowledge?