Luke 19:11-27 The Message (MSG)
The life of every believer has been entrusted with spiritual gifts and natural resources that “must” be used to benefit God’s Kingdom. The word “must” reveals an obligation; expressing necessity. We “must” share our Master’s passion for the Kingdom. We know his intentions are to one day establish his Kingdom on earth and, as disciples of Christ, we “must” help with that process. It “must” be our passion to see the Kingdom grow and multiply. Lastly, we “must” faithfully invest every resource we have been given to bring a harvest of souls to the Lord.
In our passage today, Jesus shares a parable about the necessity of his followers being faithful and productive during his absence. We “must” never forget Jesus is coming back to set up his Kingdom and when he returns every believer will give an account for how he or she used his gifts and resources. In the meantime, each one of us “must” share concern for the lost and think multiply, multiply, multiply!
Luke 19:11-27 The Story About Investment
11 While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God’s kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story:
12-13 “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, ‘Operate with this until I return.’
14 “But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: ‘We don’t want this man to rule us.’
15 “When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.
16 “The first said, ‘Master, I doubled your money.’
17 “He said, ‘Good servant! Great work! Because you’ve been trustworthy in this small job, I’m making you governor of ten towns.’
18 “The second said, ‘Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.’
19 “He said, ‘I’m putting you in charge of five towns.’
20-21 “The next servant said, ‘Master, here’s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly.’
22-23 “He said, ‘You’re right that I don’t suffer fools gladly—and you’ve acted the fool! Why didn’t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?’
24 “Then he said to those standing there, ‘Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.’
25 “They said, ‘But Master, he already has double . . .’
26 “He said, ‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.
27 “‘As for these enemies of mine who petitioned against my rule, clear them out of here. I don’t want to see their faces around here again.’”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the spiritual gifts and resources you have entrusted to my life. Help me use them every day to benefit your Kingdom . In Jesus’ name. Amen.