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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.’” Money can buy lots of things, but it can’t necessarily fulfil our real needs. It can buy us companionship, but not friendship; a bible but not salvation. This is Jesus’ last parable before he enters Jerusalem job ust before his crucifixion. Luke 19:12 -> Historically, Jesus probably refers to Herod who had done exactly this, travelling to Rome to be made ‘king of the jews’. It actually refers to Jesus who is about to go away and made the true king. Luke 19:13 -> Each if then gets about 100 days pay. The servants represent us. We are given resources and told to put them to work. Luke 19:14 -> this is the current hierarchy, who didn’t and don’t want Jesus to be king. Luke 19:15-19 -> The rewards for those who have invested well are high. These faithful servants are us (assuming we do the right things with our God given gifts). Luke 19:20 -> The fearful servant just hid the money. He acts like one of the rebellious subjects rather than a servant. Was he not expecting his master to return? - are we ever guilty of this? This servant represents someone who calls themselves a Christian, but has no love or loyalty for Christ. Luke 18:24 onwards. The rebellious subjects are the only ones who truly lose out. They are executed in his presence. This represents judgement day! What can we apply? - Accountability - We are all accountable to God, to use our talents as well as we can. He will ask each of us, ‘how did you live for me?’ How did we use the talents that we were given? - Authority - God has given supreme command and kingship to Jesus. We can’t always choose how we are going to be judged. Jesus is allocated as our Judge. Every thing we do should be balanced against God’s word. - Authenticity - Faith vs lack of faith. Being a part of a Church does not make us a Christian and will not save us! In the parable, the first and second servants understood this, the third servant obviously didn’t! Affirmation - The wonderful truth that God will reward the faithfulness of those who walk with Him. The judgement is a time of blessing for those who have walked faithfully with God.