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Put This Money To Work

Luke 19:11-27

Key Verse 13

“So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’”

Introduction

If we were to google the phrase “put this money to work,” we would find a lot of advice about how to retire comfortably, how to start saving early, earning money nonstop 24/7, or how to make a passive income stream through investments and so on. But such advice is confined to our transient lives here on earth. In this passage, Jesus tells us to “put this money to work until I come back,” for the greatest investment we will ever make is using the lives God has entrusted to us, according to His own purpose. May the Lord help us to be wise enough to invest our lives to prepare for the life to come. Amen.

1. Read verses 11-14. Why did Jesus tell this parable? (11b) Why did the man of noble birth go to a distant country? (12) What instructions did he give his 10 servants? (13) What does he mean by “Put this money to work?” What did his servants do when their master left? (14)

1-1, Read verses 11-14.

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.’

1-2, Why did Jesus tell this parable? (11b)

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.

As Jesus neared the city, the disciples and others expected Jesus to show Himself as Messiah and the political savior of Israel.
Passover was coming soon. According to Josephus, normally more than two million pilgrims poured into Jerusalem during this season.
There was also a great messianic expectation, strengthening the idea that the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
This was why Jesus might have come up with this parable to warn His disciples that He would depart and return again, and to tell them how to prepare themselves in His absence.
Jesus focused on how to prepare for God’s coming Kingdom instead of explaining when it would come.
Also Jesus could have come up with this parable from the actual history of Archelaus, the son of Herod. After his father’s death Archelaus went to Rome to receive sovereignty over part of his father’s kingdom. This was in accordance with the intentions of his father’s testament.
Its confirmation by the Roman emperor was necessary, because Herod’s empire in reality formed part of the Roman Empire.
A Jewish delegation at that time also went to Rome to dispute Archelaus’ claim to kingship because he was notorious for his cruel character and was unpopular with the people. But despite argument and opposition, the emperor nonetheless appointed him as ruler, proving his sovereignty.
By telling his parable in this way, Jesus emphasized one thing very clearly: Jesus would become king in spite of fierce opposition. Embedded in Jesus’ parable was deep spiritual meaning that would enlighten his people.
According to Luke 19:1, Jesus must have traveled around the city of Jericho that belonged to the territory of Herod Archelaus.

The Division of Herod's Kingdom: Tetrarchy (Judea) under Herod Archelaus, Territory under Herod Antipas Territory under Herod Philip II Salome I (cities of Jabneh, Azotas, Phaesalis) Roman province of Syria Autonomous cities (Decapolis)

1-3, Why did the man of noble birth go to a distant country? (12)

He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.

The man of noble birth here is Jesus. And Jesus’ distant country is heaven.

Luke 24:51 reads,

“While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”

Jesus is the man of noble birth. Jesus was born to reign. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, he was in very nature God and sinless.

Although Jesus had to take upon himself the sin of the world as the Son of Man and die as a ransom for sinners, He’d surely come as King of kings and Lord of lords in due time.

1-4, What instructions did he give his 10 servants? (13)

So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’

He probably had many servants. Yet he only called ten of them and entrusted each of them with one mina, about three months’ wages.
God chose each of us to be his servants. He made us with a purpose. He chose us to be on this and that campus.
He chose us by his grace through Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins.
May we always be rooted in the grace of Jesus to save us and call us to new life.

So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’

This parable is different than the parallel parable of the talents in Matthew 25. Here, ten servants were each given an equal amount of money.
Here mina may mean one’s talents, abilities, or skills, the gospel, God’s living words, or simply our life, wealth or possessions.
God distributes some gifts differently to each of us according to His own pleasure.
Also ten minas were to the group as a whole. Although we are individuals, we still have something in common in seeking God’s interest together.
The gospel message was given to each person equally. We are encouraged to use this precious resource to work for the glory of God.

1-5, What does he mean by “Put this money to work?”

While the master was away, receiving his kingdom, the servants were expected to do business.
The direction given by the future king(Jesus) is to put this money to work and to increase it.
Put this money to work is our life instruction and mission. Taken together the money entrusted to us is our life.

“Put this life to work until I come back.”

Above all, the greatest blessing from God is life itself and salvation through the grace of Jesus.
With this life, we are being called to put every aspect of our life to work so that the kingdom of God might grow.
Again the money that the future king gave to his servants was given in trust for the sole purpose of increasing the master’s business.
It was given to his trusted servants with a mission.

Luke 19:10 reads,

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

When we live as God’s servants, then his business interests become our business interests, and his work becomes our work.

Go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28) Go into all the world and preach the good news. (Mark 16) Feed my sheep. (John 21) Be My witnesses to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1)
In short we must put our new lives to work by faith and prosper gospel ministry as a whole.

1-6, What did his servants do when their master left? (14)

“But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

There will always be people who want to deny the kingship and sovereignty of Jesus. These enemies of God are condemned and will be punished.
These were the citizens of the nobleman, who lived in the area he ruled. These were not the servants who received the minas.
These citizens hated him, and they made it clear to the nobleman.
That is why God has called us as his servant to call them to repentance.

2. Read verses 15-19. What was the outcome of the journey? (15a) What did the man do when he returned home as king? (15b) What was the report of the first two servants? (16, 18) How were these two servants rewarded? (17, 19) What can we learn here?

2-1, Read verses 15-19.

“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.’

2-2, What was the outcome of the journey? (15a)

“He was made king, however, and returned home.

In accordance with God’s promise, he was made king and returned home as the Judge instead of the Son of Man.

2-3, What did the man do when he returned home as king? (15b)

Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

When the master returned, he dealt first with his servants. He later dealt with the rebellious citizens. He first wanted to know how trustworthy/faithful his servants had been in his absence.
Becoming a trustworthy person is not easy because it requires a willingness to place another’s interest above our own, putting priority on what God wants over what I want.
Our sinful nature makes this uncomfortable and hard.
Overcoming our own desires begins with a close relationship with Jesus. If we love Jesus, then we will care about what Jesus cares about and will be willing to make sacrifices for him.

2-4, What was the report of the first two servants? (16, 18)

2-5, How were these two servants rewarded? (17, 19)

16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’

18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five 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.’

19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’

The first servant came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned ten more.” It was an amazing 1000% profit.
The master said to him, “Well done, my good servant! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities”.
The master praised his servant’s good work and his good character. Good work stems from good character.
This goodness is not natural; it is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Then the master put his servant in charge of ten cities.
Spiritually speaking, this means that Jesus’ servants will reign with him in his glorious kingdom.

“Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter....”

Here we learn that the master was not really concerned about the mina itself; that was a very small matter. But the master was very much concerned about the trustworthiness of the servant.
When he was trustworthy in a small matter the master could entrust him with great authority to reign.
This teaches us that we must carefully consider the small trusts that Christ gives us. If he gives us one Bible student, we should care for that person with all our hearts.
If he gives us one task in his mission work, even something as mundane as cleaning bathrooms, we should do it with all our hearts, minds and strength.
Those who are trustworthy in small things will be trusted with great things. Trustworthiness in small things is the secret of success.
Then we see a second servant. He had earned five more. His master told him, “You take charge of five cities.”
He was blessed and rewarded by his master to the degree that he had proved himself faithful.
This teaches us the character of the master: he is discerning and just in rewarding his servants.

2-6, What can we learn here?

3. Read verses 20-23. What did the third servant report to his master? (20, 21) What does his statement reveal about him? How did he misunderstand his master? How did the master rebuke him? (22, 23) Why did the master call him wicked?

3-1, Read verses 20-23.

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?’

3-2, What did the third servant report to his master? (20, 21)

3-3, What does his statement reveal about him?

This servant returned his master’s mina intact. He might seem to deserve some credit for not losing it. However, his words reveal a serious attitude problem toward his master.

3-4, How did he misunderstand his master?

Instead of serving his master, he judged his master. In truth, his master had shown himself to be both good and fair in dealing with other servants.
But this servant did not believe this. When he had no faith in his master, he became ineffective.
He was a spiritual paralytic who did nothing for his master at all. There are many like him. They associate with Christians and have the position of servants, but they do nothing for Christ.
Such people do not have a right relationship with their master. Those who claim to be Christians but have no good works should seriously examine their lives. They are wasting their opportunity and will face tragedy.

3-5, How did the master rebuke him? (22, 23)

“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?’

3-6, Why did the master call him wicked?

The master judged him harshly. The master judged him by his own words, on the basis of his attitude toward the master.
The master called him “wicked,” which means he was morally deficient. In arrogance and laziness, he ignored his master’s words and neglected his duty.
What the master pointed out reveals his true intention. It was not to make money by his servants, but to build character in them.
He didn’t need them to make money, but they needed to work with him to build their character, in other words, holiness to see their true God and participate in His eternal Kingdom as qualified co heirs. Amen.

Again if doing the work of God seems hard and burdensome, we must first look to work on our relationship with God.
The servants did such a good job because the work was not a burden to them, but instead became their delight and joy.

Matthew 25:23 reads,

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”’

4. Read verses 24-27. What did the master do with the one mina from the third servant? (24) Why did he do this? (26) What was done to those who rejected the rule of the king? (27) What can we learn from this parable?

4-1, Read verses 24-27.

“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.’”

4-2, What did the master do with the one mina from the third servant? (24)

24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’

4-3, Why did he do this? (26)

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.

His master pointed out, “Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.”
Here we see that the master did not want his mina back. The master wanted his servants to use his mina as an expression of their faith.
We should know that Jesus takes blessings and opportunities from unfaithful people and gives them to faithful people.
Jesus said, “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.”

4-4, What was done to those who rejected the rule of the king? (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.’”

Now the master dealt with his enemies, the rebellious citizens mentioned in verse 14, who hated him and said, “We will not have this man to reign over us.”
They could try and deny the reign of the master as long as they could and as much as they pleased, but they would go nowhere, for He would rule over them one way or another.
The servants of the master each must answer to him, but so did his enemies. They met with certain, final judgment.
This dramatic and strong ending shows that responding to the reign of Jesus is a life-or-death decision.

4-5, What can we learn from this parable?

The main point of this parable is crystal clear. The kingdom will be delayed, so we must concentrate on being faithful servants in the meantime.
Our Master has gone away to a far country, and will one day return with His kingdom.
In the meantime, we are commanded to do His holy business with what He has given/entrusted us until He returns.

Conclusion

In this passage we learn that Jesus will return to this world as King of kings and Lord of lords despite all opposition. Then he will call his servants to account. Those who put their lives to work by faith and produced a profit for him will be rewarded. Those who squandered his grace will be shamed. Let’s put our new lives to work for Jesus in this new fall semester.

One word: Put this money to work