Weaponization of Generosity
For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. – Matthew 25:14-19 NKJV.
We know that the servants who received five talents and three talents doubled what they had been given. But the servant who received one talent just hid his talent without doing anything to increase what he had been given. The Lord said to the one talent servant: You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest (Matthew 25:26-27 NKJV).
We have heard much in recent years about the “weaponization of lawfare.” The “lawfare” was directed toward Donald Trump and his supporters. As we see now that “lawfare” was unjust as most of the cases against Trump have been dismissed and the special prosecutor appears to have violated the federal statute of “18 U.S. Code § 241 – Conspiracy against rights.” Regardless of what we think of such “weaponization” it is instructive as related to the Parable of the Talents and generosity.
Today, Elon Musk posted on his X internet platform that in 2014 he gave away Tesla’s secrets (the patents) to BMW. Musk says: In the digital age, openness beats secrecy. Today’s winners don’t hoard technology…”
“In 2014, Elon “gave away” Tesla’s secrets to BWM. Everyone thought he was crazy. But this “act of charity” was actually the most ruthless business move in corporate history.
This wasn’t just about beating BMW. Elon proved something far more valuable: In the digital age, openness beats secrecy. Today’s winners don’t hoard technology…”
According to Musk, Tesla had two problems. The market for his cars was too small and there were very few charging stations. By giving away his patents, others were encouraged to build EVs, and the charging infrastructure was expanded. By giving away his patents he weaponized generosity to do far more than he could do by himself.
When we give of ourselves to others in time, money, service or any good thing including planting of seeds of the truth of God we are weaponizing generosity. The kindness we demonstrate spreads to one person, and then spreads from that person to another and another rippling out into infinity. It is the “Pay it Forward” idea that becomes reality.
We should consider every day how we can “weaponize generosity” in the world in which we live. Rise up and be a “good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3)” weaponizing generosity with every opportunity!