I could blame this on my ADHD, but instead I will credit it by saying that this one will be about the one idea that has had sticking power in my thoughts for the longest. You know the old ADHD joke? "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Answer: "Let's go ride bicycles!"
So for all the distracting tangents in my life, the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 (in the Bible) has made me think--how am I using what God has given me? What are our "talents"? Are they different for each of us? How can we use them more effectively?
Working at a hedge fund for the last year and a half has either aided or clouded my thinking on the subject--you be the judge!
The Story About Investment (The Message translation)
14-18"It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money. 19-21"After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
22-23"The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
24-25"The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'
26-27"The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
28-30"'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.'
