To everyone who has, more will be given ...

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As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ ... 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. ... ‘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.’”

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The scene is being set for the last act of the ministry of Jesus Christ. He is approaching Jerusalem and the word on the street is that he is coming in power to overthrow the Romans and establish his kingdom. Knowing his fate Jesus begins to paint a different picture for his listeners in the form of a story. In hindsight we understand that Jesus was telling us about his kingdom - how some would be called servants and receive gifts and how others would reject his kingship.

In the second part of the story Jesus paints an image of a returning king. In this picture each servant is called to account for how they used the gifts that they were given. Each who used their gift was rewarded and the one who buried their gift was censured. In this image we see the connection between God's gifts and the required faithfulness of his servants. Through this story we understand that we each are called to use his gifts for his purposes.

Help to dear Lord to be faithful to use your gifts to help others and to build your kingdom.

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