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 (about three months’ wages). ‘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 he has 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.’”
In Luke 19 we find the parable that deals with stewardship and it is very clear that stewardship is not a suggestion but a mandate from the King. Jesus lets us know that he is returning for His Kingdom and we will have to give an account for our stewardship. This is not just about our financial stewardship but the stewardship of our lives as well. We are going to have to present to Him what we have done with all of our life. There will be no room for excuses. After all we are held to give an account for what we have been given and what we did with it.
There are three very important life lessons here in this parable that each of us need to take to heart so that we won’t be found lacking when He returns.
1. Everything that God has given to me I am accountable to God for it. This includes my life, my finances, my health, my family, my career, etc. Remember that when the King returns we will have to give an account for what we have done in all of these areas. Take a moment to critically and honestly examine how you are doing so far.
2. Multiply what you do have do not wallow in what you do not possess. This is where many people are going to be like the servant with one mina. Remember he was only given one because apparently that was all that he could handle and he failed at that assignment; but he did increase his excuses. If you don’t like what you have been given then increase it. Don’t spend precious time and energy complaining use that time and energy to show God that you can handle more by taking care of what has been given and increasing it.
3. Use It or Lose It. One of the hardest things for people to get in this passage is that Jesus takes from the unfaithful steward and gives to the faithful steward. This is a harsh reality, but a real Kingdom truth. If we are not faithful over little God will not give us more and (as shown in this parable) if we are full of excuses with no results then God will give to one who had no excuses but results. Every one of us is capable of great things and increase in all areas of life but God won’t entrust them to us if we cannot prove that we are trustworthy in smaller things.
Challenge: Take the rest of your life to show God that you can be trusted with better and greater things by making yourself accountable to Him in the smaller things first.
