Slices
Prepare
What’s in your diary today? How could your God-given gifts transform the way you tackle even the most routine task?
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
Did you spot the ‘because’ in the first sentence? Look again at the motivation of Jesus in telling this story at this time.
Jesus is acutely conscious that his mission and his time on earth are drawing to a dramatic close. In the parable he tells, the king goes away, leaving his servants in charge, giving them different gifts to cope with the time of absence.
Often in trying to understand this story we focus on the money. In most translations, the master tells his servants to use the money he leaves with them. Some commentators have pointed out that the Greek word here is pragmateuomai meaning ‘do business, trade’ and is reflected in the English ‘pragmatic’. Jesus is saying, ‘Get on with what needs doing, the stuff of everyday life, until I come back.’ The King James Version expresses it as, ‘Occupy till I come’ (v 13b).
Following Jesus as Lord isn’t a ‘free pass’ to heaven while we sit back and enjoy the ride. We’re to work hard, to make sure his kingdom comes and that as many as possible have a place there. We must be useful and fruitful because we are accountable.
Respond
If you have a list of tasks for the day, lay it in front of you. Commit yourself to using all that God has gifted you with while you get on with the stuff of everyday life… whatever that is for you right now.
Deeper Bible study
‘To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.’1
The parable of the minas concludes the travel narrative. It alludes to what is to come and to what we are to do in the meantime: we are to serve God with everything he has given us. The disciples believed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately; we see their captivity to dreams of violent revolution (v 11). They cannot yet comprehend God’s reign: established in love, service and a cross, only later consummated when the kingdom has penetrated God’s world.
The nobleman represents Jesus. The far country can mean heaven or the Spirit’s mission to the world. The return is Jesus’ future descension.2 The ten servants represent us, his people. Our call is clear: to serve our King; this is the path to greatness. A mina represented about 100 days’ labouring wages. Unlike in Matthew’s version,3 each is given the same opportunity – God evenly gifts his people for service. We are to serve God paying these gifts forward on his behalf. The angry citizens are at enmity with God. We are to renounce such idolatry and serve the living and true God.
At his Parousia, the king calls his servants to account – judgement. Those who have served the kingdom are commended: ‘Well done, my good servant!’ – words we all want to hear! They are rewarded with further responsibility. The hiding of the mina is a warning to those who profess faith but do not use their gifts in God’s service. Their reward is stripped and given to the faithful. Those who serve God faithfully receive more; those who do not, lose what little they had. We are summoned to pay forward to others what we have received, no strings attached. Our motives are gratitude and wanting to please our King and God.
Write an inventory of what God has given you. Honestly assess how you are using these gifts. Joyfully, make the necessary changes.
1 1 Cor 12:7 2 Acts 1:11 3 Matt 25:14–30
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Daniel 4,5; 1 John 5
Pray for Scripture Union
Local churches are key when it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus with the next generation. Please pray for guidance as we seek to support these churches and especially for Rachel Warwick (Director of Mobilisation), asking for wisdom and discernment as she leads the mobilisation team.
