The Parable of the King’s Servants
February 6, 2023
Commentary
As Jesus draws near to Jerusalem it was expected that He will establish the kingdom immediately. So he tells this parable now to correct this mistaken idea. He wants them to know what they are to do while the king is gone and before he comes back. He did this through the parable of the pounds, which seems to represent professing believers during the church age. This parable of the pounds is teaching a different lesson than the parable of the talents in Matt. 25:14-30. Notice three facts:
The master has given us a job (vv. 11-13). – Jesus begins his story by stating that, “A certain nobleman (King) went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return (v. 13). So He called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said, “Occupy (Do business) till I come.” These ten minas were the equivalent of a little over three months’ wages.The master will hold us accountable (vv. 14-15). – After some time the nobleman did return, and he required a personal accounting from each of his servants.Our relationship to the master will be revealed by what we do or don’t do. There were some who hated him (vv. 14 & 27). There were those who served Him gladly (vv. 16-19). There were those who refused to use what had been given to them (vv. 20-23). The third servant put his mina away in a handkerchief and it was taken away from him (v. 21). In this parable each person was given one pound, speaking of equal opportunity, whereas in the parable of the talents, each was given according to his ability. In the parable of the talents it is not how much ability you have, but how faithful you are to use what you have for the Lord. In the parable of the pounds each person has the same amount, which probably represents the message of the Gospel and we all have equal responsibility to share it.
Application
I want to take what Jesus has invested in me and use it completely for His honor and glory! I need to be as concerned about other peoples welfare as I am about my own.
Luke 19:11– 27 (NET)
11 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. 12 Therefore he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 And he summoned ten of his slaves, gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to be king over us!’ 15 When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. 16 So the first one came before him and said, ‘Sir, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 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.’ 18 Then the second one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 So the king said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another slave came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina that I put away for safekeeping in a piece of cloth. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 The king said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! So you knew, did you, that I was a severe man, withdrawing what I didn’t deposit and reaping what I didn’t sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to his attendants, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has ten.’ 25 But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten minas already!’ 26 ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!’”
Illustration: Fifty Percent Have Less than 5000 in Savings
Almost half of Americans report having less than $5,000 in savings and investments, and 1 out of 10 have nothing at all. Significantly, more than one-fourth of Americans did not save or invest any of their income in the past year. (Kevin Higgins – Sermon Central).