Weylu Chang
Liberty University
BUSI 530-B15
Dr. Abiola Fapetu
Faith Integration: Risk & Return
Risk and return is one of the toughest decisions to an investor or money manager.
How much risk does one take for how much return? The word risk leaves a bitter taste in
one's mouth just saying it. No one really wants to take on risk, but without the risk there
is no reward or return. It can also be said, without risk there is no faith. For the financial
principle of risk and return one should look to the words of Jesus because there is no
better teacher.
In Matthew 25 Jesus gives us two parables. Jesus speaks about risk and return in
the second parable, the parable of the bags of gold. Jesus tells a story of a king who is
about to take a long journey, so he calls upon 3 servants to take care of his gold. “To one
he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to
his ability. Then he went on his journey.” (Matthew 25:15, NIV). The story goes on to tell
that the first two servants put their gold to work, and each doubled their bags of gold. The
last servant grew scared and hid the gold in the ground. When the king returned he called
upon his servants, and each presented their bags of gold. The king was very pleased with
the first two servants and put them in charge of many responsibilities. For the last servant,
the king grew angry and called him lazy. Jesus finishes the parable by saying, “For
whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not
have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Matthew 25:29, NIV).
Financial risk and return is an age old dilemma. But we as Christians must have
faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1, ESV). When choosing how much risk to take we must pray for conviction
and trust what God lays on our heart and have faith. Faith that God will take care of our
finances.
