In The Word
Read Luke 19:11-28
Parable of Money Usage
11 While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. 13 And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. 16 The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ 18 The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’22 He *said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’ 24 Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’ 26 I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 27 But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”
Triumphal Entry
28 After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Yeshua told a parable about a nobleman who was leaving on a trip; but before departing, he entrusted to ten servants the equivalent of nearly four months’ salary each. The nobleman was so disliked that a delegation delivered a message that they despised his rule. When the nobleman returned, he required the servants to give an account of the money because he expected them to have invested the money wisely and profitably. Of the three servants mentioned, two had made a good return and they were rewarded with equal rulership over cities. But the third servant had simply hid the money, which infuriated the nobleman. Additionally, those who despised the nobleman’s rule were slain.
There were people who were thinking that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. But Yeshua told this parable to let them know that this was not the case; He would leave and return again, but during His absence He had expectations of them. This parable also reveals ways that people will serve Him during His absence. Some will use their time and talents properly for the kingdom of God. Some will do nothing. And some will despise His rulership.
This parable teaches us the importance of properly serving our Lord who expects us to be faithful with the time, talents, and possessions He has entrusted to us. Have you been a faithful servant? If not, there is still time to take what God has given you and serve Him faithfully for your remaining time on earth.