By Cindy Phillips
Jesus is a master storyteller.
In Luke 19:11–27 He tells a story of a nobleman giving each of his 10 servants a mina (or a pound, actually 300 shekels, about 3 month’s wages, money). In context, the Jews thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately. Notice they recognized Jesus for Who He was and were expecting Jesus to usher in the Kingdom right then and there. In the story, the nobleman goes far away to inherit a kingdom, leaving the servants in charge of taking care of what he left behind. As you read the story, you will notice each was given the same amount. In the end, each servant was judged for how he invested the money. The one who increased more was rewarded more. The one who did nothing with what he was given, what he had was given to the one who increased the most.
When someone gets saved, they are given the measure of faith (notice THE, not A – each is given the same amount – like the minas in this story). Romans 12:3. The Bible references people with little faith and people with great faith. If everyone is given THE measure of faith, how can this be? Like the minas, each is given the same amount to start with. It’s up to YOU to grow your faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). How do you grow your faith? Faith comes by hearing the Word of God Romans 10:17. I conclude the more you hear the Word, and believe it, and act on it, the more your faith will grow. According to this parable, you will be judged by Jesus on what you do with the faith you were given.
In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells another parable. In this story, Jesus was describing what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. The man who owns the estate is also traveling far away and leaves his servants in charge. Instead of giving each man the same measure, he gives each according to his own ability. He gives one man 5 measures of money, one 2 and to one only 1. Again, when he returns, he asks each servant to give an account of what they did with what they were entrusted with. To the one he gave more, he expected more. Each was judged based on how faithful they were with the Master’s resources. The servant who did nothing with what he was given, besides giving what he had to the one who did the most, was called “unprofitable”. In the end, he is judged unfaithful and thrown into outer darkness.
Scriptures say God planned works for you to do before you were born. In other words, you were given abilities to do works for the Kingdom (Jer 1:5, Psa 139:16). Each has their own calling. You will be judged for how faithful you were in seeking God’s will for your life and fulfilling it. Those who squander their lives, not seeking and doing God’s will, will have deep regret in the day of Judgment.
I want to encourage you today to use your faith to grow greater faith. Use the talents God put in you to serve His kingdom. Greatly you will be rewarded at the Bema Seat of Christ at the end of this age. Don’t be like the foolish servants who lived for themselves and were filled with great regret (or worse!) when the Master returns.