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Author: Stephen Weller
715 words, 4 minutes read time

A Good Return

Scripture: Luke 19:15-19

In the previous lesson we covered the introduction to the parable of the ten minas, in which a nobleman called ten of his servants and gave them each a mina with instructions to engage in business until he returns. In this lesson we will learn how well they did.

^{Lk 19:15} “When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. ¹⁶ The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ ¹⁷ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

The return of the nobleman represents the time of Jesus’ second coming. It will be a time when the servants who were given the mina will be evaluated on how well they did in carrying out their assignment. The first servant came before him and explained that his mina had made ten more minas; an unusually high return in real life which demonstrates an unusual wisdom and faithfulness on the part of the servant.

In response to the success of the servant, the nobleman responds with “Well done, good servant!” As a result of his faithfulness in the use of the one mina (“a very little”) he was rewarded with authority over ten cities. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” (Luke 16:10 ESV). No matter how much ability we have, the question is, how faithful are we is using what we have been given?

This evaluation of the servant brings to mind our coming evaluation when we come before the judgment seat of Christ. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV). Paul gives us a warning: “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:10 ESV).

Each one of us as believers have the Spirit dwelling within us and we have been given the Scriptures. We have also been crucified with Jesus and thus it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). Jesus Christ is the Word (John 1:1) and if he lives his life through us then our lives should reflect the word of God. It is very possible that our judgment will be to compare how we lived against the word of God. That is why it is so important that we understand the Scriptures and live them out. Can each of us say, “the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20)? How faithful are we? How many minas will we show for the one given to us?

^{Lk 19:18} “And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ ¹⁹ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’”

The second servant yielded only half the result and received a just reward. “He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8 ESV).

Conclusion

It is easy to get sidetracked in what we pursue and seek after the wrong thing. Paul speaks f this to Timothy: ¹⁷ “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19 ESV).