When Charities are Run Like a Business - Part II

In my last blog, we were challenged to consider our resources as something to be carefully invested. To simply take care of what we are without investing it in a Kingdom initiative which reaps significant returns is unacceptable.

We referenced the two parables which Jesus told in Matthew 25 and Luke 19 in describing the importance of creating an effective return on our investments. While the two parables look similar. There are some distinct differences.

•      Matthew 25 Jesus spoke to the disciples; Luke 19 He spoke to the multitude
•      Matthew 25 A landowner is going on a journey; Luke 19 A nobleman is going to get a kingdom
•      Matthew 25 The return of the landowner is imminent; Luke 19 The return of the nobleman is not immediate
•      Matthew 25 There appear to be three servants; Luke 19 There are ten servants

However, specifically note the following differences:

•  Matthew 25 Each servant receives a different amount; Luke 19 Each servant receives the same amount
• Matthew 25 Each servant appears to be given based on capacity; Luke 19 Each servant is given equal amounts
• Matthew 25 Inequality of capacity does not affect their reward
• Luke 19 Inequality of responsibility does affect their reward.

 With all these differences, Jesus chose to underscore one common theme. The anger toward the servants, who did not blatantly sin, but did nothing; they did no squander, waste, steal or even spend the owner’s money. They just did nothing.

This should be a caution to individuals and organizations. We must be careful how we invest and we must not be guilty of the sin of just safely maintaining what we have.

With that in mind, let’s run our charities because of what they are: Kingdom businesses that are deserving of all the divine wisdom and energy we have been given.