Sunday, December 8, 2019
As we prepare to conclude our study of Luke 9-19 we are once again confronted with the issue of riches and wealth. Reflecting on the journey to Jerusalem we remember that there was a rich landowner who foolishly planned to build bigger barns without considering the One who determined whether or not he would live to enjoy it (Luke 12:13-21). Then there was the rich young ruler who could not part with his wealth to follow Jesus (Luke 18:18-30). This parable says something to us about our wealth and its use from God’s perspective.
MULTIPLY
First, Jesus underlines how important it is that we use God’s financial blessings for the work of the kingdom. Ten servants are given a coin each with the instruction to multiply it’s value. We are told of three who were noteworthy in regard to their obedience and we assume the other seven recipients fell somewhere in between the extremes that the ruler discovered upon his return.
KINGDOMS AND KINGS
Second, Jesus refers to a king who goes away to be crowned king and then return to destroy those who refused to submit to his rule. Some have suggested that there had been a similar situation with Herod Archelaus that would be recalled in Judea’s recent history. From Christ’s perspective, however, what begins in Jerusalem with His suffering, death and resurrection will come to its climax when He returns.
FEAR OF FAILURE
Finally, there is the one servant who is afraid and who does nothing with the coin his master had given to him. God’s wealth is not given to be unproductively hoarded and hidden out of fear for losing it. In the parable he loses his mina to the one who was extraordinarily productive.
FRUIT BEARING
Kingdom people are risk takers whose investments range from those who make 1000% to 500% to others who will simply collect interest at the bank and profit at all points in between. The key is that the Gospel always bears fruit wherever it goes.
Every follower of Christ has a stake in growing the kingdom!