Biblical Multiplication ModelsVoorbeeld

In Luke 8:5-15 Jesus relates a parable about multiplying. He applies this multiplying of seeds to the word of God, but the principles are universal and could be applied to our own companies.

Thus, we had better not sow and invest in often trod-on pathways (verse 5), for everyone has walked there and the germination power is all but lost. The yields are low or non-existent. The art of entrepreneurship and investing is to find fertile grounds where no one has gone before.

You may also want to go for a fast profit. The parable sees this as an investment on rocky soil (verse 6). There is a quick gain, but the investment is not sustainable and it does not yield well-being, nor does it honour God. Think of speculation on the stock exchange or the futures market.

Doing business may lead you into a bad environment. Slowly but surely, you are adopting the habits and the culture of this world. You become sensitive to money, status symbols, attention, and respect from ‘successful’ and ‘important’ people. Gradually, your trust in God is suffocated by the business world and the world in which you live. In the parable, this is the seed that falls among the thorns (verse 7). You may also choose to invest in people with sound character and values, or in businesses with a purpose that promotes well-being. By doing so, your investment will be fruitful and yield more than just financial returns. This is the seed that falls in good soil (verse 8). The investment bears manifold fruit in various fields.

A great example is a Christian investment group whose members are personally committed to the investment and do not merely aim for financial returns. Their motto is ‘How can we deliver a valuable contribution with our knowledge and unique values to this company and entrepreneur?’ They are committed to the long-term goal, its reason for being, and the specific values and features of the company. Besides money, they also help share knowledge, experience, a network, and personal advice. The group does not only look for returns but wants to bear fruit in the full range of the Kingdom. This means they evaluate their investments in relation to the impact they may have on society, on the well-being of people, and on the honour of God.

Question for the day
Thinking about investments, what criteria are important to you?