Luke 19:11–27
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. ‘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.’”
While the Master is Away
Perhaps while reading this passage, you may have been stuck by some similarities to the parable of the talents in Matthew: 25: 14–30. This is the lesser-known brother of that familiar parable. Differences in the accounts are traditionally explained by saying Jesus shared this parable on multiple occasions and changed some elements in his re-tellings. After all, Matthew’s account has Jesus teaching this parable in his Olivet discourse where he is instructing his disciples about things to come. Luke, on the other hand, locates it on Jesus’ way towards Jerusalem as he is preparing his disciples for his departure. It is possible that Jesus told this parable several times over the course of his ministry.
The parable begins with a nobleman leaving to receive a kingdom and entrusting some finances to his servants, with the assumption that they would be productive with what he has given them (v. 12-13). After the nobleman’s departure it is revealed that the citizens of the area despise and reject his rule (v. 14). Upon his return he calls his servants to give an account for their dealings. Though two servants have proved to be faithful, having worked diligently, one servant demonstrates complete disregard, perhaps even animosity for his master by refusing to put the money to work, and falsely impugning his master’s character (v. 15-20). The master justly judges the man, and any who despise him and oppose his rule (v. 21-27).
How should Christians respond to this parable? Considering that we live in the interim period between Christ’s first and second coming, we ought to imitate the two servants who worked diligently with their masters’ resources while he was away. If the wicked servant’s failure to act was due to his hatred of his master, then the impetus for service for the Christian must be a love for the master, even when he is not present. Our service, however, is not simply to conduct business. It is not limited to the realm of finances; it is to be a wholistic, Spirit-filled gospel service that shapes our entire lives as we seek to share the good news of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, ascension and the good news of his imminent return.
Questions
• Does the way you conduct your life communicate a devotion to Christ, like the faithful servants? Or a disdain of him, like the servant who hated him?
• What opportunities do you have to invest your God given abilities and resources for Christ’s kingdom?
• Does the thought of Christ’s return inspire hope or fear in you? Why is that?
Author Bio
Rev. Seth Maier has been serving as Associate Pastor at
Crossroads Church since 2014. He lives in Medicine Hat with his wife Linsay and his children Ezra and Junia.
Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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