How Are You Handling His Affairs?

We discussed previously the difference between ownership and stewardship and that all followers of Christ are called to be faithful stewards over what we are given. Jesus explained it this way,

“He 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.[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. 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.” (Luke 19:12-27)

Jesus is the noble man who has gone off to become King. He has left mankind to handle His affairs until He returns just as this noble man did his servants. The enemies that did not want Him to be King are those unbelievers who refuse to acknowledge Him even though all of creation points to Him (Romans 1:19-23).

The rest of the characters in the parable are those that did, to one degree or another, what they were told. The first was highly productive, turning the 3 month’s wages he was given to manage into 1 ½ years worth of money. The second wasn’t quite as productive, but still turned a little into a lot. Each was rewarded in like measure to how they stewarded what they were given. And the one who had hoarded the wealth given to him to steward had it taken away and given to the one who already stewarded much well.

We’ll spend the the next few posts discussing the principles to be culled from this parable. Ask someone you know to join us

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