Parable of the Trucks

A successful trucking operator wanted to take some time away from the business. He called in three of his drivers to give them responsibility to manage things in his absence. To one, he gave five new Kenworth trucks, to the second he gave three, and to the third he gave one. Then he went on a world tour, leaving the business completely to them. The first, with the five trucks, hired five experienced drivers to carry on and expand the owner’s enterprise. He took some risk, but carefully oversaw the dispatching and maintenance of the equipment. Five years later, the trucks were well used, and he sold them, but by that time boasted a fleet of 10 new Kenworth trucks. The second driver also did well with his part, and worked up to a total of six new trucks full time on the road. The third however, seeing the instability in the economy, the price of fuel, and the unreliability of drivers, parked his one Kenworth in the shop.
After a few years the owner returned to see how his company was faring, and again called in the three drivers to see how their efforts had gone. The first driver presented the owner with his fleet of ten trucks, introduced him to the drivers, and reviewed how he had successfully expanded the business. The fleet owner was impressed, and gave him 25% interest in his company, with freedom to manage it how he would. He was also impressed with the second driver, who had done well now managing a fleet of six. He gave him a 20% interest in the company, also with freedom to manage it how he would.

The guy with the one truck was feeling a bit outclassed, but tried to defend his actions. “You don’t know what it’s like,” he said. “Energy costs were through the roof; Ministry of Transport is out to get you every time you’re on the road; the forest industry is so unpredictable; and it’s impossible to find reliable help. But here’s your Kenworth, good as new, and ready to go.” “Get out of here, you idiot,” roared the fleet owner. “At least you could have driven it yourself, and done something useful. Give it to my first man who already has ten trucks on the road. He’ll know what to do with it.”

So the one who has used well what has been given, will be given more. And the one who only hung on to what he had, will lose even that. The fearful driver lost his truck, and his job, and his reputation. He went out and read Matthew 25:14-30, understanding it for the first time.  -philw