According to the late Bill Bright of Campus Crusade, only two percent of Christians regularly share their faith with others. In Matthew and Luke, Jesus tells two versions of the parable of the talents. Most people think of these parables in terms of stewardship of money or stewardship of abilities. However, the same principles apply equally to evangelism.
While they are different in many ways, three points remain consistent:
- These parables are instructions for Christians. The nobleman represents Jesus. Both versions refer to the noble’s servants using the Greek word “doulos”. A “doulos” is not simply a servant, but a person “fully involved in a subordinate relationship.” Therefore, these parables are specifically directed at people in relation to the noble man. Luke’s version specifically refers to the citizens as a clearly separate group from the servants.
- In both parables, the nobleman entrusts his treasure to the servants and then leaves for a time with a promise to return. Upon his return, he asks the servants for a treasure account.
- The fact that the servants received the same number of talents or different talents was not central to the parable. The amount of profit was not important. The nobleman’s response was, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” whether the increase was two or ten times. (Matthew 25:21 CEV) The point of the parable was only “increase.” Both parables contain the same pitiful admonition for the servant who did not increase.
“Useless and useless servant! You could have earned ‘at least’ interest by putting my treasure in the bank.” (Matthew 25:27 paraphrase CEV)
The nobleman would have been satisfied with a measly 3% return on his investment savings account!
Jesus charges each of us to “go and preach the good news to everyone in the world” (Matthew 16:15 CEV). The good news is the treasure. The parables of the talents indicate that while personal salvation is good, Jesus expects us to invest the treasure to increase His kingdom.
“Useless servants!” Two percent of Christians regularly share their faith with others. I would be outraged by this number if it weren’t for this: it was ninety-eight percent. I was, but I am no longer. I realized that while I don’t have a great biblical scholarship like John Wesley, I do have the same treasure. I’m not a great speaker like Billy Graham, but I have the same title. Increase the kingdom.
“As long as the land remains, sowing and reaping … will not cease.” (Genesis 8:22 KJV)
I am weak in the seed department and not that strong at harvest. I don’t hand out flyers on street corners or tell my neighbors “Jesus Christ died on the Cross for you.” I am not a preacher; I will probably never bring a harvest of thousands to the Lord. Nevertheless …
As a country girl, I know this truth. Just as the seed must come before the harvest, the plowing and preparation must come before the seed. Okay, I’m weak in seed and not so strong in harvest. But I can plow. I can be two percent.
I meet hundreds of people every year. Think about it: the supermarket, the bank, the school, the playgroups. Even for Work-At-Home-Mom, the contact list is huge. I try to touch everyone I meet with the “Please and Thank You” ministry. The ministry of “Please and thank you” softens the heart in preparation for the Word. With every tip I leave and every bill I pay, I attach a thank you token card. The Wal-Mart cashier may not accept Christ because I bought wheat bread, but her heart will be prepared by grace. A simple card with the Word of God inside can cultivate hardened soil. The earth is the heart and the seed is the Word.
“The seed that fell on good soil, sprouted and bore one hundred percent fruit.” (Luke 8: 8 KJV)
Well done.