v. 11-27 Jesus was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once so he told this parable. "
A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king. So he called his servants and gave them ten minas, 'Put this money to work until I come back.'" The servants hated him and said they did not want him to be king. He was made king and when he returned home he sent for his servants to see what interest the money had earned. The first servant said that he earned ten more mina. He was praised by the king for being trustworthy in a very small matter and given ten cities. The second servant said that he earned five more mina, the king gave him five cities. The third servant came to him and said that he had made no interest on the money because he kept it hidden. He said he was afraid of the king and that he was a hard man. The king said
"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? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?" Then he told those standing near by to take his mina away and give it to the servant who had ten minas. "
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."
The people were looking for a king who would take back their country from Rome, not an eternal King that they could not even imagine. Jesus was showing that His kingdom would not come like they thought, nor would it come right away. He had to go away for some time and His followers were to be faithful and productive in His absence. We have a choice on earth to share what we know with others, yet as we can see the servants did not make the same amount of interest on their money. Some give 100% to the cause and others might only give 40% or 60%. This last servant gave nothing so that he would lose nothing in return or so he thought.
Do not be afraid to share what God has done in your life, our reward will be based on our devotion to the task. We are given gifts to use while here and we will be asked in the end what we did with them. There are recurring themes all throughout the bible. I'm losing count of how many time Jesus has said that those who have will be given more and those that have nothing, even that will be taken away from them. I think we are hard headed by nature and maybe that is why He is repeating Himself so much!
Why was the king so hard on this man:
- he didn't share his master's interest in the kingdom
- he didn't trust his master's intentions
- his only concern was for himself
- he did nothing to use the money
NIV notes
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