Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for your greatest gift to me—your Son, Jesus. Help me to express my gratitude in ways that bring you glory.
Read LUKE 19:11–27
The Parable of the Ten Minas
11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a] ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
Footnotes
- Luke 19:13 A mina was about three months’ wages.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Peter tells us to be ‘faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’1 How are you serving Christ your King with your gifts?
Think Further
In addressing the question of when the kingdom would come, Jesus compares himself in verse 12 to a candidate for kingship going to the highest authority to ask for the right to rule (as Herod had done in Rome). Those disputing his claim (v. 14) are the Pharisees and the ruling elite.
The gifts to the ten servants aren’t massive (about four months’ wages for a day laborer), but while his claim is being adjudicated, the master is asking for them publicly to trade in his name. Standing up for him when he’s been confirmed in office requires no courage, but doing so while waiting for his return is a risky, costly loyalty. If it goes against their master, then everything is over for them as well.
That’s why the master rewards the loyalty of the first two servants: ‘because you were faithful in a least thing’ (v. 17, translating literally), ‘take charge of cities.’
It’s about faithfulness, not profit. The increase of responsibility for them both is huge because they’ve been trustworthy—but the third servant’s speech is outrageous. If he really thought his master was like this, as the master points out, surely he would have put the money to work with the bankers? Instead, he’s waited out the interval, not wanting to be publicly loyal until there’s no longer any risk in doing so. Even now he’s confident he’ll suffer no real punishment for his inactivity, a confidence in his master that turns out to be justified because he’s only deprived of the money entrusted to him. He’s risked nothing and suffered no loss.
As with other parables, this one is also left unfinished. The judgment on the king’s opponents is announced but not actually performed. Everyone, disciples and opponents, is challenged to consider how they will wait for the King’s return.
Apply
While waiting for the King’s return in glory, we’re challenged to show costly loyalty. What might choosing the King look like for you?
Closing prayer
Thank you, King Jesus, for all you have done—and continue to do for me. Help me to fulfill your purposes for me, regardless of risk or cost; I long to hear the words spoken to me: ‘Well done, faithful servant!’
Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by kingstar
