In the last episode, we looked at the four steps to God’s secret to experiencing true peace and success. Those four steps are; Trusting in the Lord and not leaning on our understanding, Casting our worries on Him, Embracing humility under God’s mighty hand, and Seeking God’s guidance and direction. We also showed how the lives of Joseph and Hannah were examples of these four steps leading to peace and success in their relationships with God. If you missed the previous episode, I’ve put a link in the notes below this video.
I’ve said before that my call in the body of Christ is to support, encourage, and edify those who have faith in Jesus Christ. I’m not called to be an evangelist, though we all give witness to Christ. I’m not called to be a preacher, though we all proclaim His truth. I’m not called to be a missionary, though this live stream is seen around the world. My call to those who believe in Christ and want to grow in their faith, understanding, knowledge, Spirit, and relationship with Him.
With that call in mind, I try to build upon each message for your encouragement and strengthening your faith in Christ. So, because of the previous episode, I feel the topic we’re going to discuss now is an important building block for your faith and walk with Christ.
The Parable of the Ten Minas from Luke 19:11-27; We can’t confuse this parable in Luke with the parable of the talents in Mathew 25. In this parable, Jesus will declare four critical facts about the coming Kingdom of God that will affect your eternal outcome and mine and all of mankind. Let’s read the parable.
Luke 19:1-10; Since the ninth chapter of Luke, Jesus has been making his last journey to Jerusalem. The next to last town before Jerusalem is Jericho. As Jesus enters Jericho, Luke brings our attention to a tax collector named Zacchaeus (pure). Six previous times in the Gospel, Luke tells of tax collectors believing in Jesus and being saved.
Luke 19:11-27; While they were listening to Jesus say that salvation had come to Zacchaeus and that the purpose of the Gospel was to seek and save the lost, he begins the parable of the ten minas.
The meaning of the Parable; The four critical facts of the parable that affects everyone’s future state.
- There’s Accountability: The servants in the parable were accountable for what was given to them. By receiving the money from their ruler, they accepted the responsibility to manage what was given to them. To the Jews listening, they were also accountable for what God gave them. We’ve received the Gospel from Jesus, and as his followers, we accept the responsibility to manage the message given to us. We’re accountable to Christ to safeguard the Gospel and ensure it spreads throughout the world.
- Be Diligent: The ruler expected those who received the minas to go out and “Do Business” with the investment. The Jews were expected to do business with what God gave them. We’re expected to “Do Business” or promote the business with what we received from Christ; the Gospel. What is the business of the Gospel? Salvation, Light, Forgiveness, Truth, Love, Compassion. Jesus said the purpose or business of the Gospel is to seek and save what is lost. How do we expend ourselves for the Gospel? We don’t all do the same thing in the same way. Some may serve, some may give, some may support, some may teach or preach. How much or what we do isn’t the point here. The point is that we do something to spread the Gospel. Think of it like being on your job or your business. You do something that moves the business forward. In the same way, what are you doing to move the Gospel forward?
- A Day of Acknowledgement: There was a day when the ruler returned as a king. On that day, he asked for an accounting of the actions of those who had received his investment. When Christ returns as King of everything, there will also be a Day of Acknowledgement. What is the ROI for the investment given to us by Christ? That question will be put to the Jews and Christians alike.
- The faithful and diligent will be rewarded.
- The fearful and complacent will go unrewarded.
- A Day of Judgment: The parable concludes with the king saying, “To my enemies who didn’t want me as their king – bring them here and kill them before me.” A very harsh statement, but what is the outcome for everyone who refuses to listen to the Gospel and be saved from this judgment? All who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior, Jews and all others, will face a coming Day of Judgment.
These words from Jesus should make us all consider what kind of Gospel business we’re doing with the investment we received from God through the death of Christ. There will be a day at the Judgment Seat of Christ where we will stand before him, just like in this parable, and Jesus will review what we did to spread the business of the Gospel. I hope this message promotes our growth in faith, our knowledge of our accountability to the Gospel, and our understanding of the Day when our work will be reviewed before Christ, and we’ll be diligent to strengthen our relationship with Him through our actions for the Gospel. Until our next episode, May the Lord keep your heart and mind upon Him as He prepares us for our eternal life with Him. God Bless you all!
