Luke 19:11-27
The Parable of the Ten Minas
11While 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. 12He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13So 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. 21I 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? 23Why 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 he has will be taken away. 27But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."
In the parable of the the ten minas Jesus teaches us about many things...We first learn about observation and God's kingdom, then about God gives each man something different (whether that be talent, intelligence, an ability to make new friends, etc and we are to use that gift, our work ethnic, and how we approach jobs we are given, something about money, Jesus would not always be around (but will return), and patience)...
Some say that this parable parallels Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, who went from Palestine to Rome to become king of a territory that Romans had acquired...An opposition force sent a delegation to Rome to speak against Archelaus for being the new king...This may have happened when Jesus was just a boy...
The people thought that the kingdom of God would come immediately (Luke 19:11)...The kingdom of God will not come with careful observation...The kingdom of God comes from within and is among believers (Luke 17:21)...
In the parable a man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then would return later...He gave ten of his servants each a mina...He told them to put this money to work until I come back...His subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, we do not want this man our king...However, he was made king and returns home...He sent for the servants that he had given money to find out what they had gained with it...
The first servant came and tells the new king that his mina has earned ten...The king says well done, my good servant...Because the servant was trustworthy in a very small way, take charge of ten cities...The second servant came and said your one mina has earned five more...His master told him, he would now be in charge of five cities...The third servant came and told the king that he feared him, and knew he was a hard man, and had wrapped the one mina up and put them it a cloth, so it would be safe, and he could return it to the king...The servant told the king he takes out what he does not put in and reaps what he did not sow...The king said I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant...The king said, you knew, did you, that I was a hard man,taking out what I did not put in and reaping what I did not sow?...Why didn't you just put the money on deposit, and make some interest, instead of wrapping it in a cloth and doing nothing?...
The king took the servant's one mina and gave them to the servant who had earned ten...The king told they crowd, whoever who has, will be given more, but as for the one who has nothing even what he has will be taken away...And for the enemies of mine who spoke out in a delegation against me and did not want me king, bring them here and kill them in front of me...
We are not told what happened to the other seven servants that were given minas...Increasing the minas and the king's wealth paid off for the good servants...We are not to be lazy and sluggards...
Jesus teaches us that the kingdom of God is not a political or military event...With Jesus now on earth and later in heaven, the kingdom of God is more than a future event...The event has taken place...Jesus has arrived and is living...He is alive and part of the Living God...He has ascended to heaven and is at the right hand of God...The kingdom of God is at hand and is there for us now...We can watch and observe, and read about the kingdom of God as the Pharisees did...But with Jesus coming to earth, the kingdom of God has started and is currently here...It started out small and continues to grow...
There is a kingdom of God among us, and we must seek it and find it, as believers...Not everyone will believe, He will be rejected by some...Some do not want Jesus to reign and be our King...
As the disciples, and other apostles were later being filled with the Holy Spirit, they would better understand the kingdom of God being near... Jesus would not always be around after His resurrection, but still there is a need for good and faithful service...While He is away we are to be productive...And when He returns He will bring judgment for all...