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Giving Account for Life’s Investment

St. Matthew 25:14-30

Intro:

A certain rich man was preparing to go away on a long trip, so he called in three of his employees and gave to each one a large sum of money.  To the first one he gave $500.00.  To the second he presented $200.00.  And to the third he handed over $100.00.  The money was in fact not a gift or bonus; it was a trust, an amount given to each employee to invest as wisely as possible.  Each employee was to make the most of what he had received.  Upon returning from the trip, the rich man would take account of what each man had done with his money.  Place yourselves in the story; which of the three employees are you?

The first employee went to work once, placing the $500.00 into various profit making ventures.  The second employee took the $200.00 and did the same.  He too made sound smart investments.  The third employee, however, took the $100.00 he had been given and literally drove it into the ground.  He buried the money in a hole in the back yard.

Giving Account for Life’s Investment

Employee #1 was quite successful in his efforts, doubling the $500.00 to a sum of $1000.00.

Employee # 2 was equally adept with his investments, turning the $200.00 into $400.00.

Employee #3, who had started out with less in the first place, still had the same $100.00 safely buried away in the ground.

The rich man returned and eagerly called in the three employees, to whom he had entrusted his money.

Employee #1 gave his report first, and the rich man was understandably enthused.  “I am giving you a big raise and a big promotion,” he said.

Employee #2 presented his account and once again the rich man reacted gleefully.  “You have proven yourself.  You’re getting a promotion and a raise, too.”

Then, Employee #3 came in to deliver his report.  “Sir,” he began, “I know what a tough business man you are, so I was afraid to risk any of your money.  I buried it for safe keeping, and now I am pleased to return it to you.”  “So you think I’m a tough businessman?  You’re right…and you’re fired!”

Conclusion:

Jesus our Lord told this story twenty centuries ago.  The main point, which hasn’t changed in 2,000 years, is that each one of us is responsible to make the most of what we’ve been given.  And that we are more than responsible; we are accountable.  We must answer for the way we invest our lives.

If you have been given lemons, make lemonade.

If you have been given peanuts make peanut butter.

Remember, you’re not only responsible; your accountable.  We must answer for the way we handle our lives.

Part one; stay tuned next week for part two.

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