Luke continues to allow us to listen in while Jesus was doing the final preparation with His disciples. In today’s lesson, Jesus speaks to the issue of using the gifts God has given you. The parable of the Minas. or talents is a simple one. The Master gives different servants different amounts and gifts and then leaves town. While away, the different servants react. Some put the minas to use, some hide the minas, and some reject the Master outright. Upon the Master’s return, the Master blesses the ones that use the investment. He strips the servant that hid the Master’s investment, and the Master destroyed the servants that rejected His gift. This was not your typical “Happy ever after” story.
The parable was incredibly significant, both then and now. God equips each of us with different and varied gifts and talents. He has no interest in us trying to be something we are not. So, then the Lord looks to us to use the gifts He has given us for the furtherance of the kingdom, and of ministry. For those that use the gifts and talents, the Lord will bless them and multiply their talent and their ministry. Others will simply hide themselves and their talents. Jesus said to those that hid their talent and ministry; He would strip them of those gifts and talents and give them to the faithful servants. Finally, to the others who simply reject God and His gift of salvation and tools for ministry; Jesus says, “You will be destroyed.”
So, for the purposes of the Apostles, and our purpose; the message is simple, use your gifts and talents with intention and vigor. As you do, God will multiply the blessing and the ministry. Even if you choose to fear God’s wrath, then do something to avert it. Do not simply hide the talents from others. Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.
Finally, understand, God offers a gift of salvation and redemption for any whom will ask. Please, ask the Lord to forgive your sin, come into your life, and be a part. He promises in Revelation 3:20, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with them and they with me!” It is a great promise. He will meet us where we are and accept us sin and all.
God Bless You
11 While 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. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a] ‘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. 21 I 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? 23 Why 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 they have will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
Walking With God 