A Bruised Ego & Needing Ideas

I have to admit my ego is a little bruised after reading the parable in Matthew 25 of the three servants who were put in charge of their master’s estate while he was gone. The first servant doubled what he was given by investing it, as did the second, but the third servant went out and buried the money in a field so he wouldn’t risk losing the sum. When the master came home and asked for a full report, he was pleased with the two who had gained him more money and promoted them, but he was furious with the third servant who had been too scared to risk investment. He hadn’t lost a cent, but neither had he gained anything.

Eugene Peterson in his paraphrase of the story gives this explanation from the master: “That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, whey 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.”

Ouch, God! I’ve generally considered myself to be a cautious person, and now I’m being told that’s no way to live? What am I supposed to do with that? What does it look like to “take risks” with what God has given us? Are we to take risks with our money and possessions – a literal interpretation of the text? Or is He talking more about the non-material blessings He’s given us – our time, talents, skills, relationships? Maybe all of the above.

So, if I’m not supposed to “play it safe” with what God has given me, what would it look like to take risks with it? I’m not sure yet, but I’m trying to figure it out. I definitely don’t want to be cast into “utter darkness” for living too cautiously!

Do you have any ideas? Please share if you do!