Luke 19:12-28 (ESV)
The Lord told this parable, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
I’d like you, for a moment, to think about the many ways that our Lord has blessed you. Think about the abilities or talents He has given you. Think about the kind of life you live, the things you have and the people that are a part of your life. Thank God for lovingly bestowing upon you all that you have.
Now, I want you to think about something a little more challenging. Consider, for a moment, how you use that which our Lord has given you. Do you use your talents and abilities to help others? Do you strive to live your life in a fitting and worthy way? Do you appreciate the people that are a part of your life or do you neglect them?
Remember the words of the nobleman to his servants in today’s Gospel: “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Do not squander or neglect everything that our Lord has given you. He has given it to you so that you may use it; so that what you have may be a blessing for others so that the blessings can multiply and grow. Neglecting the God-given gifts of our lives or using them only for our personal satisfaction and gratification will lead to us losing them.