Business profit and the Parable of the Minas

“The Parable of the Minas” (Luke 19:12-27) teaches a number of principles that should shape how profit is considered in the Business as Mission context.

1. Profit is good.

During the settling of accounts, the master responds positively to the servants who had earned profit by:

• Saying “Well done!” – the master views their efforts as good.
• Calling the servants “good” and “trustworthy” – the master expected his servants to pursue profit.

2. Profit is not the motivation.

The servants’ reward for their efforts in earning a profit is their master’s praise and increased responsibilities. It can be assumed that increased responsibilities carries with it monetary gain. However, this should be viewed as an additional benefit. It is clear in the parable that the power to give and take away financial resources belongs solely to the master (as evident in the command to take the one mina away from the wicked servant and give it to the servant who earned ten).

3. Ability to earn profit is not universal.

As Christians, we cannot assume we all are equally capable of achieving the same results.

• The two good servants do not earn the same amount: one earns ten times what he was entrusted with; the other earns five times what he was entrusted with.
• The wicked servant is chided for not transferring his mina to bankers; allowing them to use the financial resources while earning interest for the master.

4. We have an obligation to earn a profit.

At the beginning of the parable the master says, “Put this money to work.” Wicked servants disobey this command out of rebellious fear. Good servants seek to multiply what they have been given thereby multiplying the work that can be done.

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Money is a resource provided by the Lord to facilitate Christian work in the world. We are obliged to use it wisely and morally, seeking its increase in order to extend our effectiveness in fulfilling our calling.