Context
When is a person being daring or intrepid, as opposed to being reckless, with regard to financial matters? When is someone being prudent or measured, rather than dithering, about a monetary issue? Jesus had a lot to say about money, and this week’s Gospel reading provides food for thought on how we should use or invest money.
- A massive earthquake kills hundreds on the Iraq/Iran border.
- EU business leaders tell Prime Minister, Theresa May, to agree to a Brexit deal or face a collapse in confidence.
- Former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown steps back into the political arena.
- There is military intervention in Zimbabwe.
- Australians say ‘yes’ to same sex marriage.
Reflection
The phrases ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ and ‘speculate to accumulate’ are usually linked to financial matters, and history reveals that some of the greatest entrepreneurs were individuals whose risk-taking led to amazing rewards. Conversely, those who exercise prudence and diligence in financial matters are regarded as virtuous in an age fixated with excess and ostentation.
There is a clear tension when it comes to money and how it is used. In Gordon Brown’s new memoir, My life, Our times (Vitnage, 2017, ISBN 978-1784707460), the former Prime Minister – who was known for his prudence when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer – argued that the risky loans and investments of US banks nearly brought down the western economic system a decade ago. When not highlighting this in recent interviews, Brown also stressed the massive economic risks to Britain if it leaves the EU.
At the same time that Brown was making these comments, those who were defending the financial revelations exposed by the recent Paradise Papers, argued that certain tax avoidance schemes and financial investments have helped to create thousands of jobs and top-up pension pots.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ parable addresses attitudes to money and how it should be invested. What is fascinating is that the parable appears to be commending those who take risks, while condemning those who play it safe. In many ways, it seems to go against the countercultural nature of Jesus’ usual message and is especially jarring in our equality-focused society.
The parable features ‘slaves’ and a ruthless, whimsical ‘master’ who distributes monies based on ‘abilities’ that are not defined. The slave who is given the least amount of money (talents), rightly describes his master as ‘a harsh man, reaping where [he] did not sow, and gathering where [he] did not scatter seed’. Yet, he is punished for his apparent caution (and honest assessment of his master).
From a modern-day standpoint, the slave’s reticence is logical: he appeared to have little to gain financially, but everything to lose. Moreover, the master’s suggestion that the slave should have put the money in the bank would have achieved sparse dividends today, given the paltry interest rates for British savers.
However, if one analyses this story, we can see that the third slave was not being prudent or risk averse, but lazy and careless – he was hiding someone else’s money in place where it was not safe. Moreover, under his stewardship, there was no opportunity for the money to ‘work’. On the other hand, the other two slaves displayed professionalism, respect, industry and enterprise. Irrespective of their master’s disposition they were prepared to give of their best to their employer.
We may find ourselves in situations where we have to work or engage with those (above us) who are unsympathetic, harsh or obstructive. How do we choose to use our God given talents in those instances? It can be argued that how we respond says as much about our faith as it does about that other person’s behaviour.
Prayer
This prayer could be used at the end of a service.
Heavenly Father,
help us to recognise that the money we have is a gift from you,
which we should use to further your kingdom,
serve others and meet our own needs.
Give us wisdom in all things financial,
being mindful of all that we have, and all that we can do,
to make your world a fairer, and a better place to live
for all those who are made in your image.
This we ask in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Questions
- In this week’s parable, how do you think the rapacious master have treated his two other slaves had their investments backfired? (Given the fact that they were provided with more money, do you think they would have suffered a worse fate than the ‘negligent’ slave?)
- At what point does ‘speculating to accumulate’ become reckless gambling?
Action
Many churches are keen to adopt a distinctly Christian approach to the way they manage their finances. They ensure that Christian values inform their attitudes to the environment and climate change, supply chain ethics and HIV/AIDS in terms of where they choose to bank and invest. If your church has not considered such an approach, you could form a group to consider how best to manage the church’s finances more ethically.
Young people
The massive earthquake that has hit Iraq/Iran, resulting in such a large loss of lives, has caused widespread devastation in those countries. Find out which aid agencies are involved in the disaster relief effort, and seek to raise funds from your congregation and local community to support this effort.
Richard Reddie is a writer and cultural commentator. He attends St James Church, West Streatham, London.
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