The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illuminates a profound business strategy in the modern-day perspective: how a successful founder and CEO approached succession planning to preserve his wealth and legacy. This CEO strategically evaluated three potential successors by providing them with capital to invest, demonstrating both generosity and discernment.
To the first candidate, the Master entrusted five talents, which he traded and doubled—achieving a 100% Return on Investment. The Master’s response was emphatic: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:22).
Similarly, the second candidate received two talents and doubled this investment, earning identical praise from the Master (Matthew 25:23).
However, the third candidate—given one talent—buried it out of fear, generating no return. The Master’s rebuke was stern: “You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So, you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So, take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents” (Matthew 25:26-28).
Today’s Business Challenges
Modern entrepreneurs face formidable challenges that might tempt them toward the third candidate’s risk-averse approach. Regulatory uncertainties, geopolitical complexities, global market dynamics, and intricate supply chains create a landscape that demands wisdom and prudence in decision-making.
Yet our Lord has bestowed talents and spiritual gifts upon us to advance His Kingdom. While discernment is essential in evaluating both worldly and spiritual components, entrepreneurs need
not navigate this terrain without guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Tools for Kingdom Business
Unlike the candidates in the parable, today’s Christian entrepreneurs have access to modern business templates and tools. The Business and Ministry Master’s Plan Canvas© provides a framework for developing faith-integrated businesses. This approach: prioritizes the entrepreneur’s goals, leverages existing strengths, and anticipates and minimizes potential failures in both business and spiritual life.
A successful Kingdom business solves customers’ problems, and a sustainable ministry meets their spiritual and social needs. The Canvas integrates critical business elements—value proposition, customer segmentation, partnerships, activities, resources, marketing channels, competitive advantage, and financial planning—into a cohesive strategy for today’s multicultural, global marketplace.
Overcoming Fear Through Faith
Despite having sophisticated tools at our disposal, I believe the third candidate’s resistance was not primarily about fear—it stemmed from insufficient knowledge of who our CEO and Master truly is. When entrepreneurs grasp the power and sovereignty of our Master, God has given way to “power, love, and a sound mind” instead of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7).
The fear of becoming a target for spiritual opposition is legitimate, especially in regions where spiritual battles are intense and persecution likely. Yet God promises He will “never leave us nor forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). He also warned that those who follow Him will face suffering, as He told Ananias about Paul: “He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15).
The Call to Kingdom Succession
Are you among the “few chosen” (Matthew 22:14) in God’s succession plan? Are you prepared, like Paul, to endure hardship for His name? Have you accepted the possibility of significant sacrifice even martyrdom?
Remember that the Holy Spirit: equips and empowers us to fulfill God’s will (Acts 1:8); provides words when we need them (Luke 12:11-12, Acts 4:8); and grants boldness to speak as “ambassadors in chains” (Ephesians 6:19-20).
As we consider our roles in God’s Kingdom succession plan, let us approach our calling with the bold faithfulness of the first two servants, multiplying what has been entrusted to us rather than burying it in fear.
