Playing it Safe

In this day of roller coaster markets and the threat of entire nations collapsing because of financial downturns, it's easy to get into the "play it safe" mindset. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a prudent approach to investing and money management but some people think that prudence means never taking a risk.

It is interesting to note that in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, where Jesus is teaching on stewardship, He says that the least one could do with money was play it safe. We see by this parable that the one who takes no risks loses nothing, to be sure, but receives no praise from the Lord either.

Let's not confuse good stewardship with playing it safe. Good stewardship means trusting God to multiply what you step out in faith to do on His behalf. Those who practice this kind of stewardship will be rewarded with success and praise. Playing it safe, on the other hand, means exactly what it says, risking little to guarantee that what you have will remain just that…the little you have.