From the Voice Translations, Matthew 25:14-17

Jesus: 14This is how it will be. It will be like a landowner who is going on a trip. He instructed his slaves about caring for his property. 15He gave five talents to one slave, two to the next, and then one talent to the last slave—each according to his ability. Then the man left.

16Promptly the man who had been given five talents went out and bartered and sold and turned his five talents into ten. 17And the one who had received two talents went to the market and turned his two into four. 18And the slave who had received just one talent? He dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money there.

The two who increased the talents, were praised and rewarded.  They choose to use what was given to them by the master and try to make more for the master.  The one that buried the single talent, was scolded.

Talents in this case were money of the time.  Talents can also be today not only money but the gifts that God has given us.  Which to be honest, even the air we breathe is a gift.  We are given much, but what do we do with what God gives?

We are challenged and charged with doing mission in the name of Christ.  We are given all and therefore we must use all.  To burry our self or our money in the sand is not acceptable.  On the other hand, to run and gamble it all on long shots is not appropriate either.  We can choose to invest in mission so we can do mission and ministry.

There are some approaches that are very safe with money, yet the gain is little to none.  Do we invest wisely of the talents God gives?  Not if we put it all in one basket.  That is why we might want to invest some safely, but other talents in things that have moderate and high reward.  Is there some risk?  Sure, there is.  You have heard I am sure, “no risk no reward”.  The Bible speaks about taking risks for the sake of God.  There are many verses throughout the Bible that speak to this.  It must be grounded in God.

Mission and ministry are the primary goal, at least it should be, for any congregation.  That mission and ministry is to be beyond the four walls of any church building.  We are called to serve beyond the four walls.

Did you know that you can invest the monies that God gave in other congregations and it will help this one?  Did you know that the moneys that come back to help us, help us to help others?   I am not endorsing either of these options, but you can invest in ELCA mission funds and you can invest at Thrivent.  Both are mission based, that we can take advantage of.  You can also invest in our Foundation, which invests in mission funds that help us to do mission.  It is a win/win/win.  Contact Lee Novak for information about the Foundation.  He would love to speak with you.