Slices
Prepare
What talents and resources has God entrusted to you? What fruit is there to show?
Bible passage
The parable of the ten minas
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. “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 they have 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.”’
Explore
Read verse 11 again. Jesus is still at Zacchaeus’ home and is talking about who is (and isn’t) part of his kingdom. There is a crowd around him talking excitedly about their ideas of what this kingdom will mean for them. Jesus uses this most confronting story to counter their expectations.
Again, Luke zooms out from the personal to the cosmic. The story of the ‘minas’ is really about how Israel has failed to fulfil God’s purposes. Some are applauded for serving faithfully in small matters (v 17), but through their history, Israel have not been good stewards. Instead of glorifying God by obeying him and showing how to love and worship him, they have rejected him (v 14). They have been focused on status and tiny details, looking down on outsiders (like Zacchaeus?) rather than welcoming them in. God’s people have rejected the prophets and their message of repentance (vs 20–23). They have not borne the fruit that was expected. This will have serious consequences (v 27).
Jesus wants the crowd to know that God will fulfil his own purposes and the outcome will not be what Israel generally expects. The next step in the journey will be Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem where this contrast will be stark.
Respond
‘Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling … helpless look to thee for grace’ (‘Rock of ages’, Augustus Toplady). Thank God for what Jesus has done for you.
Deeper Bible study
Peter tells us to be ‘faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms’.1 How are you serving Christ your King with your gifts?
In addressing the question of when the kingdom would come, Jesus compares himself in verse 12 to a candidate for kingship going to the highest authority to ask for the right to rule (as Herod had done in Rome). Those disputing his claim (v 14) are the Pharisees and the ruling elite.
The gifts to the ten servants aren’t massive (about four months’ wages for a day labourer), but while his claim is being adjudicated, the master is asking for them publicly to trade in his name. Standing up for him when he’s been confirmed in office requires no courage, but doing so while waiting for his return is a risky, costly loyalty. If it goes against their master, then everything is over for them as well.
That’s why the master rewards the loyalty of the first two servants: ‘because you were faithful in a least thing’ (v 17, translating literally), take charge of cities. It’s about faithfulness, not profit. The increase of responsibility for them both is huge because they’ve been trustworthy – but the third servant’s speech is outrageous. If he really thought his master was like this, as the master points out, surely he would have put the money to work with the bankers? Instead, he’s waited out the interval, not wanting to be publicly loyal until there’s no longer any risk in doing so. Even now he’s confident he’ll suffer no real punishment for his inactivity, a confidence in his master that turns out to be justified for he’s only deprived of the money entrusted to him. He’s risked nothing and suffered no loss.
As with other parables, this one is also left unfinished. The judgement on the king’s opponents is announced but not actually performed. Everyone, disciples and opponents, is challenged to consider how they will wait for the King’s return.
While waiting for the King’s return in glory, we’re challenged to show costly loyalty. What might choosing the King look like for you?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 39,40; Matthew 14
Pray for Scripture Union
Thank God for all he has provided and continues to provide. Pray for God’s wisdom for the fundraising team, as they explore new areas of income generation, so that more children and young people can start a journey of faith.
