A recurrent lyrical theme in the amazing musical "Hamilton" is "I am not throwing away my shot". After songs that introduce Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr (the hero and the villain), the third song is "My Shot"--with four young men (including Hamilton) who made significant contributions to the American Revolution expressing their desire to make bold choices that would make a bold difference:
“I am not throwing away my shot
I am not throwing away my shot
Hey yo, I'm just like my country
I'm young, scrappy and hungry
And I'm not throwing away my shot”
This refrain is repeated several times, by the men individually and together, and at one point, this refrain ends with the added lyrics “It’s time to take a shot!”
Obviously the American Revolution ended in an American victory. The fates of each of these four men varied, but clearly their participation—as well as many others—resulted in this success. This was a risky choice for the colonies, as well as for each individual involved, but collectively the nation didn’t “throw away its shot”, and good things resulted—you could say “revolutionary” things.
This “Parable of the Talents” (as it’s called) speaks of a similar thing. Three are ”entrusted” with various amounts of money--10 talents, 5 talents, and one talent (a “talent” is equal to 16 years of work for a day laborer, so even the person given one talent is entrusted with a whole lot). The two entrusted with more invest and earn more. The one entrusted with the smallest amount—which is still in itself a large amount—does nothing with it except “keep it safe”. The failure to “try” anything is condemned.
From this story’s message, our stewardship of the resources God has given us are not to be kept “safe”. They are to be invested—something is to be done with them, and it would seem NOT something safe. We are not to “throw away our shot”—we are to pursue the opportunity to ENGAGE our God-given resources. From this story’s message, NOT to give something a shot is not only disappointing, but lazy—and even wicked.
Wicked? To be careful with God’s resources is wicked? Perhaps not trusting God is the wicked part—not believing that God wants us to try, to risk, to attempt to make something more.
Matthew 25:14-29
14 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” 21 His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” 23 His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26 But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.