I remembered the Parable of the Talents, as told in Matthew chapter 25. The man expected multiplication of his money from those he entrusted with it, not just safety. The one who merely protected the money had it taken from him and given to the one who made the greatest profit. This story, along with the apple tree question, opened up to me a whole new way of thinking about life, about ministry, about spiritual growth: I call it God's investment plan.
So what is God's way of investing? What is the fruit of Laurie? God has given me talents - skills and areas I'm gifted in, both spiritually and naturally. At work, I teach others to use their software at a more advanced level, and seek to make more skilled users like myself. I seek to multiply myself and my skills in them. It should be the same in my spiritual life: make others like me - at least, like me in certain ways. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, and he has called all of his disciples to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19).
I am a disciple, and my fruit is therefore more disciples. How do I do this? By investing myself in others. As God puts coins of discipleship into my hands, so I invest them into others and they increase in discipleship too. God receives a return on his investment - and so do I! It seems simple and obvious now I've realized this, but sometimes the most important things are hidden to us until a simple key thought unlocks the full meaning and we see with new understanding.
So I ask, What is in YOUR investment portfolio? How will you also multiply yourself to bring God a return on the investment God has made in your life? A final thought that may help: Ecclesiastes 11:1 is something very familiar to many of us. "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you shall find it after many days [and much more with it]."
