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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. ‘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.’”

 

This scripture is a deep reflection on our human condition, the way we treat money and where we should place God in our lives. In the first part of this parable Christ talks about the people that wouldn’t want to accept him as God’s emissary to the world. They rejected him because as humans we want to be God like and determine our own ways. The parable also talks about possessions given to us by God. God wants us to be fruitful in his kingdom. So, he gives us gifts that enable us to work and be fruitful but not just for ourselves. God wants us to be in relationship with all his children, so he looks to us to use our gifts for the common good by providing work for others and gifts to those who are unable to work.

So, as we grow and prosper, God asks us to be generous to others in his kingdom. Choosing this path, to be part of God’s plan for our world is a great honor. This honor requires us to look past our self-interests and consider what would Jesus have me do? When you apply this logic, the rewards you experience stretch you because your personal universe expands, and this requires you to mature and grow as a part of God’s creation. The rewards you experience by growing in God’s love are beyond what you could imagine to be humanly possible and satisfying.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please help me open my eyes to the good you would have me do in your world. I ask you to soften my heart and help me to help others as you have helped me. Amen

Rob Carrothers

robert.carrothers@gmail.com