The Ten Minas

As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
Luke 19:11–27
+
The Ten Minas
We don’t like to share. It is not in our fallen nature to do so. We are selfish and greedy. We want what is ours and what belongs to others. We feel entitled to all that we have and more. But just as our parents taught us to share and be kind and thankful, so to are we remade and formed into a servant by the gifts of our heavenly Father. In this parable, Jesus teaches that by His death, resurrection, and ascension, He will gain His kingship. Though the world will protest His reign, not wanting to be ruled over, or to share their blessings with others, Jesus’ disciples are to use the gifts entrusted to them faithfully. At Jesus’ return, He will punish those who have opposed His gracious rule. Christ will abolish all resistance to His reign and will honor those who faithfully served Him. Therefore, we should never take God’s Word for granted, hoarding the gifts we have received. Christ calls us to share His Word faithfully, and He is ever generous and merciful toward us. His gifts work in our lives, and, through us, in the lives of others. May God grant that we may always remain faithful in our stewardship of His gifts.