It's a tough financial market out there, especially for small European firms trying to raise capital. That's why Italian cheese-maker 4 Madonne Caseificio dell'Emilia decided to take a more creative approach to fundraising by issuing bonds backed by its own product: thousands of wheels of parmesan cheese. Before you laugh, however, the bonds have already brought in over six million Euros (about $6.55 million). While some see a ludicrous investment, others see the value behind a decision that might seem absurd from the outside.

Possible Preaching Angle:

If you can pardon the comparison, the situation is a lot like one's decision to follow Christ. To the one who looks only at the outside—the risk, the suffering, the lack of worldly glory—it seems like a crazy decision. To the one who looks beyond the outside and into the true reward that Christ offers—there is no better investment.

Source:

Reuters, “Italian cheese firm sells Parmesan-backed bond,” Yahoo News (2-2-16)