God’s Mission in Luke 19:11-27
Luke 19:11-27
The Parable of the Ten Minas
A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. “Put this money to work until I come back.”
~ Luke 19:12-13
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.’”
Pondering Point
A mina has been valued at three month’s wages, so ten of them is significant money. So what does that mean? This soon-to-be-king is investing significantly in his servants.
By comparison, Jesus says that God has invested significantly in us – with a desire for us to “put to work” what we’ve been given. Here is where this financial risk-taking factor arises – and is celebrated (and even rewarded!). But the financial risk-taking, as in the parable, is to be for the benefit or vision of our Master.
Is God the master of your money or are you still seeing it as your own? In the parable, those who took risks in putting the money to work saw return – and the approval of their master.
The ones who took no risk (simply putting the money away) saw no return – and disapproval of the master. The parable is meant to lead you to assess your own attitude about money and God’s kingdom. Are you listening? Make sure that you are and then share the prayer that follows.
Prayer for the Day
Father God, help me listen to You – and to “put to work” for You all that you have placed in my hands. Reshape my attitude where necessary. I pray this as your grateful servant. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.