The Bible is full of stories and lessons about being responsible with what we have, being generous, and being smart with money.
Parables used by Jesus, are especially good at teaching us important truths about investing money which is the right way to use and grow our money.
These parables give us both spiritual lessons and practical tips on how to handle money.
We are going to look at 6 parables about investing money. Each story has its lesson on how to be good at investing money.
Parable About Investing Money
One of the most well-known parables about investing money is the Parable of the Talents, found in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 25:14-30). Here’s a retelling of the parable and its message:
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
I will expand and discuss this parable thoroughly with relevant Bible verses to provide deeper insight
1. The Parable of the Talents
Jesus tells the story of a master in Matthew 25:14-30 who entrusts different amounts of talent to his three servants. The master was going on a journey, so before he left, he gave some talents which could be interpreted as money, coins, or gifts to each servant. To one, he gave five talents; to another, two talents; and to the last one, he gave one talent.
The master smiled and said, “Take care of these talents while I’m away. Use them wisely.” He was probably putting them to the test. He wanted to see how each of them would use their talents cleverly.
The first and second servants with five and two talents thought, “I should do something good with these talents.” So, they decided to invest them smartly.
These two servants used their talents to make more talents, like planting seeds that grow into more plants. They were happy and proud of what they had done.
However, the third servant, who received only one talent never thought of a way of investing. Perhaps he thought, “What if I lose it? This is the only coin. I’ll bury it in the ground to keep it safe.” So, he buried the talent and waited for the master to return.
When the returned, he asked the servants how they used their talents. The first and second servants said, “Look, I turned your five talents into five more”.
He was pleased with them and promised to put them in charge of bigger wealth as they had shown their investment prowess with the little accorded to them.
But the third servant sadly said, “I was afraid, so I buried your talent. Here it is, just as you gave it to me.”
In the end, the lazy servant was deprived of the one talent earlier given to him and was given to the one who had 10,000 coins. He was even cast into darkness and a place of torment.
The Lesson
1. Hard work and loyalty are often rewarded. The first and second servants were rewarded for making good choices and using what they were given wisely. Their action of investing the money and equally being accountable shows loyalty and transparency.
2. Even if you cannot multiply your talents just as the third servant, it is proper to give out the money to able hands to manage your funds. That is why the master recommended that the lazy servant should have at least given the money to a bank for profits.
3. Having feelings of being overburdened or used could cost you a whole lot of things. The bad servant probably had feelings that the master was burdening him to work with a meager sum. Perhaps he started making comparisons with other servants amount of talents instead of looking for a way to grow the little given to him. Now he has lost all and has even been excommunicated.
3. Nothing is too small to invest. Just take a step and the Lord will prosper you. You should see the little you have as the “days of your little beginning”. If you are hesitant to multiply the little you have, you might end up losing it.
2. The Clever Steward
This parable is illustrated in Luke 16:1-13. There was a servant who worked for someone very rich. But the rich boss hears some bad things about this man, that he is not doing his job well. So, the boss decides it’s time for the man to leave his job.
The man was worried about his future. He knew that he had no strength to engage in hard labor (dig) or beg in the streets, so he thought of a plan that could save him in the future after losing his job.
So, he called the people who owed his master money and said, “Quick! Change the amount you owe. Pay less, and I’ll make sure my master still gets something.”
When the master heard about it, he didn’t get angry. He thought, “Hmm, that was pretty clever.” The master appreciated the man’s quick thinking, even though he wasn’t happy about the dishonesty.
Lessons
1. This story tells us that being smart and clever in how we handle things can matter a lot, even if the person in the story didn’t act honestly. Jesus is not saying it’s okay to be dishonest. Instead, he’s pointing out how important it is to use our minds well.
2. The steward was worried about what would happen next, so he planned for the future. We learn that it’s good to think ahead and make wise choices, especially when it comes to money and our responsibilities.
3. Jesus points out that believers should be wise in handling worldly wealth. It’s not just about money but about using all the things we have responsibly.
4. The story encourages us to think about how we can use what we have for good without being dishonest.
5. The story teaches that an investment-inclined fellow will always think about how to survive in the future thus initiating effective strategies.
3. The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-32 illustrates that there was a family with two sons. The younger son asked his father for his share of the inheritance, even though his father was still alive. The father, with a heavy heart, gave him what he asked for.
The younger son went to a faraway place and spent all his money on parties and fun. But soon, he had nothing left. A famine hit the land, and he found himself in great need. He realized his mistake and decided to go back home.
As the son returned, he was worried. But when his father saw him from a distance, he ran to him with open arms. The father was overjoyed to see his lost son again. He forgave him and even threw a big celebration to welcome him back.
Lessons from the Story
1. The story teaches us that without a concrete investment plan, no matter the amount of wealth you accrue, the wealth will liquidate within a Twinkle of an eye. The son had lots of money but didn’t realize the real value of the investment.
2. The son made a big mistake by wasting his money, but he realized it and decided to change. The story encourages us to recognize our financial mistakes, be sorry for them, and take steps to make things right.
3. Even though we make wrong financial commitments like squandering our wealth without investing, we can still make it right if we have supportive people who could guide us back to track just like the father forgave him and welcomed him back with love.
4. The Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32)
In a story told by Jesus, he compared the kingdom of heaven to a tiny mustard seed. Although not directly about money and investment, the parable carries a valuable lesson about the power of small beginnings and the potential for remarkable growth.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.” A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds, but the story shows it can grow into a big, sturdy tree.
Lessons from the Parable
1. The parable teaches us that even from something tiny, like a mustard seed, things can grow. Similarly, in our lives, small efforts of investment and beginnings can lead to great outcomes.
2. Despite its small size, the mustard seed grows into a large tree where birds can find shelter. This talks about the potential for immense growth in our investment. Small actions and choices can lead to positive impacts and outcomes.
3. The story encourages investors to have patience and faith. Just as the mustard seed takes time to grow into a tree, your investment needs time to grow which may require patience and trust in the process. Of course, you should understand that there are long-term and short-term investments, so measure your patience based on the investment portfolio.
5. The Widow’s Offering
In a moment witnessed by Jesus in Mark 12:41-44, a poor widow came to the temple and quietly placed two small coins into the treasury. Though this story does not directly refer to physical investment critically looking at the parable, there are some indices of spiritual investment. A lot of people feel that investment is about finances but it could also be investing into your spiritual life which is the true measure of wealth.
While many were giving large amounts, the widow’s offering seemed small in comparison. However, Jesus noticed her and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”
Lessons from the Parable
1. The story teaches us that true wealth is not just about the amount given but the intent behind the gift. The widow, though financially humble, gave with a pure and sacrificial heart. In order words, it doesn’t matter the amount of money you invest in a project but the diligence with which you pursue that course means a whole lot.
2. Despite her limited means, the widow’s offering represented a significant sacrifice. This shows that true generosity is measured by the willingness to give, even when resources are scarce. In essence, serious investors do not wait to have plenty of money before investing but they start with the little at hand.
3. In commending the widow, Jesus shows that He values the heart’s intent more than the outward appearance. It’s not about how much we have but the sincerity with which we give. Hence, the way we get committed to our investment is the same way people will rate our financial prowess.
6. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23)
Jesus once told a story about a farmer who went to plant seeds. As he scattered them, some fell on a path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil.
The seeds on the path got eaten by birds, those on rocky ground sprouted quickly but withered away, and the ones among thorns were choked by weeds, but the seeds in the good soil grew into healthy plants.
Jesus explained that the seeds represent the message about God’s kingdom, and the different soils portray people’s hearts. Some hearts are hard and don’t understand, some are shallow and lose interest, some are crowded with worries, but others are open and receive the message, growing strong in faith.
Lessons
In the financial realm, the Parable of the Sower imparts valuable lessons about investing wisely:
1. The farmer strategically scatters seeds in different places. So, investors should diversify their portfolios by spreading investments across various assets to mitigate risks and enhance potential returns.
2. Seeds on the path faced risks from birds, much like investments in high-risk areas might be prone to attacks. Investors should understand and assess risks associated with different investment choices to safeguard their financial interests.
3. Seeds in good soil flourished and yielded healthy plants. This mirrors the principle of long-term investing. Patiently nurturing investments over time allows for potential growth and prosperity.
FAQS
What is the parable about money?
The parable about money is often referred to as the “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30), where a master entrusts different amounts of talents (currency) to his servants, and they are expected to invest and grow them.
What does God say about investing money?
While the Bible doesn’t explicitly give detailed investment advice, it encourages principles likewise stewardship, generosity, and using resources for good. In the Parable of the Talents, God values responsible and fruitful use of the resources given to us.
What is the parable of investing talents?
The Parable of the Talents is about a master who gives talents to his servants. The ones who invest and grow their talents receive praise, while the one who buries it is rebuked. It teaches the importance of using our abilities and resources wisely for fruitful returns.
Conclusion
In the end, the Bible’s stories teach us how to invest our money wisely. Jesus uses simple stories to show us how to be smart with our money and what true wealth means.
We looked at 6 stories from the Bible, each teaching us a different lesson about investing with our money.
These lessons tell us it’s important to work hard, make smart choices, and understand what it means to be an investor. How we deal with our money is important for our lives and our spiritual path.