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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.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 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. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 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.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 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.’ 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? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘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. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Luke 19:11-28 (ESV)
Brothers and sisters in Christ, may the grace of our Lord rest upon each one of us. Today, the Gospel text tells us that there is a reward for those who put the Word of God into practice. “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’” Luke 19:17. Indeed, the more we, the Christians strive to put God's word into action, to live as God intends, the more blessed we will be and the greater will be our reward from heaven. “‘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.” Luke 19:26. The servants who had used their investment well were rewarded.
We want to dwell on one aspect of today's parable. The ten servants had received a sum of money of the same value, so no one was at a disadvantage. Even today, the Lord Jesus, who rose from the dead, has left us with the same Holy Spirit, the same word of God, asking us to live by the Holy Spirit and by his Word. Indeed, no one is disadvantaged, the word of God is an inexhaustible source of riches and graces.
The Christian world shows us, as in the parable, that some strive more than others. Some are more generous, striving to forgive, to live in truth, justice, and to be humble. God expect that we return to Him all that we have. He expects from all of us our love, our active faith and our obedience. Some people struggle more, accept humiliations, contradictions, rejection. Some accept to wait for the reward, to wait for their efforts to produce fruit, which can sometimes take a long time. These Christians are also more fulfilled and blessed in the end, often their offspring over generations are blessed in them.
Others, unfortunately, are in favour of the least effort. They have despised their gift. They thought that the gift was so small that they could never please their Master. They thought that their Master would demand more from them than they could ever earn with His gift. The Master was even accused of being unjust. “ 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.” Luke 19:21. They think that they are doing God's will for God and not for themselves. They see the Word of God as a constraint, a heavy weight to be dragged around, that requires them to make too much effort. They find that God asks too much of them, that the Word of God is too restrictive. They do not understand that putting God's Word into practice is beneficial to the one who does it above all and that it does not take away from or add anything to what God is.
God's word is an infinite gold mine, but we can only discover its value if we invest ourselves in making it bear fruit in our lives and in the lives of others around us. If we let the Holy Spirit guide us, if we live according to God's commandments, then yes! We will be blessed and fulfilled beyond measure.
The question that arises, then, is: what do we do on a daily basis to discover the treasures hidden in this eternal word of God? Are we aware that we are doing it for ourselves? Indeed, every effort, every additional step towards God will be rewarded beyond measure, so let us not be discouraged on such a good path.
Yes, my dear brothers and sisters God will recompense each of us according to our work and faithfulness. Let us be among those who work for the true King, Jesus the King of the universe, the King of kings. If we reject His gifts, if we refuse to serve Him, we shall bring upon ourselves eternal condemnation. The time is short.
The second coming of our Lord and Saviour will be like a man going on a journey :the man is our Lord Jesus Christ who entrusted his followers with different gifts or talents. When He comes back, will He see our faith in action?
Let us pray: Lord, Most Good Father, we thank you for your immense glory, for your Word of life and your Holy Spirit who lives in us. Grant that we may submit to your Spirit, and thus let your word produce abundant fruit in us. Help us to concentrate every day on working for and in the kingdom of heaven and hoping for the reward you promise us!
We pray to you, Lord, for all Christians who have stopped making efforts to live the Gospel, grant them the grace to set out again in order to discover the treasures of your wonderful Word. Amen.
Today let us make the decision to redouble our efforts in putting the Word of God into practice, especially in those aspects that we neglect or that seem the most difficult to us.
The Most Rev Dr James R. Wong Yin Song
Diocesan Bishop of Seychelles and
Primate of the Anglican Church of the Indian Ocean
