A PARABLE FOR OUR TIMES …

 

God gave Black people 500 billion talents; he gave Hispanic people 350 billion talents; he gave Asian people 225 billion talents. 

 

He left us alone for one year and then returned to see what we had done with our talents.

 

God asked the Asian people, "What have you done with your  resources?"

The Asians replied, "We created many businesses and purchased many franchises.

We used our resources to assist our  families and our Asian friends, helping them to get into business as well."

 

The Asians continued, "Lord, we knew that with 225  billion  talents we could generate even more talents by pooling what  we had and  working together toward a common economic goal. We have  doubled the amount you awarded us. We now have 550 billion  talents. And to top it all off, our restaurants are going strong; everybody loves our food?"  The Lord said,  "Well, done, my good and faithful servants. I will make  you rulers over many things." 

 

God then asked the Hispanic people what they had  done with  their inheritance.

They gleefully replied, "Lord you are  really going to  be proud of us. Upon receipt of our talents we went  to work right away   and formed our own bank. We have one in  Florida that ranks among the  largest in all the land.

 

And, you  know what else? The interest we are making will more than  double the amount of talents you gave us."   As God nodded approvingly, the Hispanic people couldn't  wait to continue. We opened fast food shops and sidewalk stands. We sold fruit, enchiladas, and tacos. We supported Hispanic doctors, lawyers, accountants, and all the Hispanic businesses we  could  find.  If a certain business did not exist in our community, we pooled our resources and started it. We have done very well, Lord, especially  considering the short time we have been in this land."  And God said, "Well done, my good and faithful servants. I will make you rulers over many things." 

 

Since God had given the most talents to his chosen  people, Black people - he couldn't wait to hear what they had done with  their 500 billion talents. Like a doting father, he proudly asked them,  "What have you done with your inheritance?"

 

After turning their music down in order to hear what God was saying, the Black people waved their hands in the air (like they  just didn't care) and shouted, "Lord we just threw the party of  the century, and it was all good!   Look at those bad rides parked outside. We bought them  from the German people and the Japanese people. Wouldn't you agree,  Lord, that we did good deeds by helping to make them wealthy?" Even God  looked perplexed.  He asked if there was anything else the Black people wanted  to report. "Oh yeah," they replied. "You haven't heard the half of  it, Lord. We're the most charitable people on earth. We spent 95  percent of all you gave us with businesses other than our own. We helped everyone. We didn't discriminate and we didn't player-hate."

 

Then one of the Black leaders spoke up. "Lord, You know how we like nice clothes to wear especially to church.  After the party we went out and bought  all of the latest styles with all of the right labels. You know what  I'm saying? We just had to have it; we couldn't wait. Check us  out."  Now the Lord was quite concerned about His people and their  attitude regarding their talents.

 

Continuing to probe and expecting to  hear something that would make Him proud, God  pleaded, "Surely you have  done something with your inheritance to generate more talents for  yourselves?" 

 

The Black people looked around at one another, and one of  their "leaders" stepped forward to sum things up. "Lord, we have the finest cars, we eat and drink only top shelf, and we meet in the most elaborate hotels owned by others. Our children have several pairs of the latest gym shoes. We make the baddest videos. Our athletes are the best players. And even though we don’t own anything, we do have good jobs and if we don’t get fire or laid off, we will earn back our 500 billion talents next year. And we will again be able to help all the other inhabitants of this land increase their wealth and prosperity. Isn’t that good?"

 

Sadly, God looked at his people and said, "With what you  have done with your talents, you may as well have buried them in the  ground. Because of your slothfulness and lack of good stewardship, I will give your future talents to those who have the least. You have gravely disappointed me by not adhering to one of my most important  admonishments. To whom much is given,  much is expected (required)."