Dollar bills multiply at Douglas Boulevard
One Midwest City congregation used a biblical story to make meaningful $1 investments. From June to September, members of OKC-Douglas Boulevard church embarked on an assignment to multiply dollar bills, given to each of them by Pastor David Croninger, to further the mission of the church. Rev. Croninger said he wanted members to "use their talents" to increase their gifts. He based the task on Matthew 25:14-30, a parable about three servants who receive gold coins from their master. The congregation found innovative ways to increase the initial $80 investment to more than $5,000. One member picked blackberries and sold them by the pound. The church’s heralded cooks sold items such as apple butter and homemade rolls. Several families combined efforts and hosted Indian Taco sales. An experienced fisherman invested $2, on behalf of his wife and himself, for each fish he caught between June and September. His total was 32 fish, and he contributed $64 to the church. Church member Kelley Essary said the experience brought members together in new ways. "We not only raised money but also learned a valuable lesson about ourselves and our ability to make a small investment increase using our talents," she said.
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the talent from the servant who chose to bury, rather than multiply, the talent he had been given. The parable of talents indicates that God expects a faithful response to the gift of God’s kingdom through the abundance of fruitfulness.