The Parables of My Life: Investing in the Kingdom

The Parables of My Life:  Investing in the Kingdom

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Matthew 25:14-30 (MSG)   "The Kingdom of God 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 (obscurity).”

God has placed in our lives the currency of the Kingdom.  We have natural abilities, spiritual gifts, physical strength, the mind of Christ, and even material possessions that are to be invested in the Kingdom.  The currency of the Kingdom cannot be compared to the currency of the world system.  In the Kingdom, each unit, whether it is spiritual, emotion, physical or material is of equal value and has equal impact in the kingdom.

It is with a worldly mindset that we often place unequal value on the currency of the Kingdom.  Each person is of equal value to the Lord.  Acts 10:34 (NKJV): “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.” 

Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

No matter our age, no matter our gender, no matter anything, because of Jesus, we have currency to invest in the Kingdom of God.  In the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we are to seek ways to invest our currency in His work.  We may go to a church to hear a great preacher, but if the restrooms are not clean and serviceable, if the walks are not cleared of snow and ice, and if we do not feel welcomed, we might not come back.  One gift supports another in the God’s realm. 

Fear of criticism may cause us to hesitate in taking the risk of service.  We must be certain that we are serving under the call of the Holy Spirit, then, in spite of what others may say, our gift will make room for us. (Proverbs 18:16.)

We are to minster where and when God has called us to minister.  That ministry may not look like what we had pictured.  Several years ago, I found myself in the Philippians, in 100+ heat, dripping with perspiration, waiting for a heavy metal, head banging Christian band to finish performing before I spoke.   That was not the mental picture I had when prophets had spoken over me that I would go to the nations.  However, God was in the house.  People received Christ; people were healed, Bible studies were established; churches grew.  It was exciting, exhilarating, better than anything I could think of or imagine.  

Nor did I imagine that I would someday write a blog that would be read by people all over the world.  I stand amazed that I can sit in my office, write about my heart for God and go to the nations via technology.  It is exciting, exhilarating, better than anything I could think of or imagine.

God’s Kingdom will go forth.  If we do not invest what God has given us to invest, He will give it to someone else and we will miss the blessing.  What’s in your spiritual wallet?