Pursuing the Call: A Plan for New Missionaries预览

One of Jesus’ most famous parables involves a rich man who went away and entrusted his wealth to three servants. There are several differences in the rendering of the parable in the Matthew and Luke accounts, but the general storyline and message are the same.

A man who is rich and powerful sets out on a long journey and does not expect to return home for quite some time. Before leaving, he calls together his servants, puts each of them in charge of particular amounts of his money, and expects them to manage it for him in his absence. Upon his return, the man finds that two of the servants have made wise investment decisions and have doubled the money that was entrusted to them. The third servant, however, has merely kept the money in a safe place and has done nothing to increase the account with investments. Jesus’ final words regarding this third servant in Matthew 25:28-30 are chilling:

“‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has the ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw the worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

What’s interesting about the third servant is that he is not rebuked for his mismanagement of the money but rather for his failure to act at all. He is not like the Prodigal Son, who squandered what was entrusted to him. Rather, he is apathetic, choosing inaction over action. As a result, while the other servants enjoy increased responsibilities and privileges, the third servant loses the opportunity to do bigger and greater things for the master. The lesson here is clear. We must be faithful with what is in our hand before we can expect to have an increased ministry.

While academic training and formal preparation is important, the best thing anyone can do to prepare for foreign missions is to get involved in ministry. As you read today's reading, consider how you can serve presently before ever stepping foot on the mission field.