“While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. Therefore he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. And he summoned ten of his slaves, gave them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.”’” —Luke 19:11–13
In these verses, Jesus begins the Parable of the Ten Minas. Those that followed Jesus were expecting the kingdom of God to appear at once. Wanting to readjust their thinking, Jesus gives them this parable. Two principles seem to be presented here: First, whatever we have been given, whether great or small, comes from God’s hand and is entrusted to us for a season; secondly, we are going to be held accountable for the responsibilities that we have been given.
The whole of Scripture confirms both of these teachings:
“For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?” —1 Corinthians 4:7
On the basis of grace, God gives His children a wide variety of gifts to be used for kingdom work. These gifts are given to us individually, but they are not solely for us—they are to be used for the common good of the body of Christ, the Church.
Paul tells us:
“Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all.” —1 Corinthians 12:4–7
Peter echoes this same message, calling us each to be good stewards of the gifts we have received:
“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” —1 Peter 4:10
Everything belongs to God!
I am reminded of God’s words in Haggai which describe His ultimate ownership and providential control of the wealth of all nations:
‘“The silver and gold will be mine,” decrees the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” —Haggai 2:8
God also speaks through the pen of Asaph in Psalm 50 saying:
“I do not need to take a bull from your household or goats from your sheepfolds. For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me, as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills. I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.” —Psalm 50:9–11
As His servants, we are to use these gifts through the Holy Spirit’s power to point others to Jesus and serve the body of Christ. This is what Jesus means when He tells us that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), and that we will do even greater works than He (John 14:12). We can know that we are on the right track if it is Jesus who gets the glory for our actions rather than ourselves.
As John tells us:
“No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but rather, ‘I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my joy, and it is complete. He must become more important while I become less important.” —John 3:27–30
Ultimately, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The Bible teaches that it matters how we live our lives:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.” —2 Corinthians 5:10
Become More
One day our lives will be evaluated by the Master. Our motivation and perseverance must flow out of our love for Jesus in order for us to accomplish all that He has for us to do. In commending the Thessalonians, Paul says:
“Because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” —1 Thessalonians 1:3
If our work is produced by faith, our labor prompted by love, and our endurance inspired by our hope in Jesus we are certain to hear:
“And the king said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.’” —Luke 19:17
Further Reflection
“The parable of the talents is our Lord’s statement with regard to the danger of leaving undone the work of the lifetime.” —Oswald Chambers