Having numerous coffees with a fellow veteran, 15 year Navy SEAL veteran Jimmy Graham, we discussed how God views our work and businesses. Researching this, I came to the conclusion that we’re to work and earn in the marketplace, but it was not until rereading the parable of the talents, word for word, that I was shocked.

Mat 25:15 “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

Literally in the parable, the master gave, according to each slave’s abilities, an investment of talents for them to work in the marketplace. The talent was the largest currency in the first century, up to 200 lbs of gold or silver. At 200 lbs, each gold talent today would be worth $3.5 million dollars with one slave receiving five talents worth $17.6 MILLION to invest and he doubled it! If Jesus talked about this large amount of money, then we’re to discuss it, too.

Figuratively, our Master has given each of us millions of dollars worth of investments in our talents, skills, and experiences. When we dig up, develop, and grow His investments in us, He will expect an accounting of talents He has given us.

Whether literal or figurative, God is our angel investor, and we’re to each be in full time ministry with our investments of many talents, to work each according to our own abilities.