As they listened to this, Jesus told them another parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought God’s kingdom would appear right away. He said, “A certain man who was born into royalty went to a distant land to receive his kingdom and then return. He called together ten servants and gave each of them money worth four months’ wages. He said, ‘Do business with this until I return.’ His citizens hated him, so they sent a representative after him who said, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ After receiving his kingdom, he returned and called the servants to whom he had given the money to find out how much they had earned. The first servant came forward and said, ‘Your money has earned a return of one thousand percent.’ The king replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good servant. Because you have been faithful in a small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.’ “The second servant came and said, ‘Master, your money has made a return of five hundred percent.’ To this one, the king said, ‘You will have authority over five cities.’ “Another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your money. I wrapped it up in a scarf for safekeeping. I was afraid of you because you are a stern man. You withdraw what you haven’t deposited and you harvest what you haven’t planted.’ The king replied, ‘I will judge you by the words of your own mouth, you worthless servant! You knew, did you, that I’m a stern man, withdrawing what I didn’t deposit, and harvesting what I didn’t plant? Why then didn’t you put my money in the bank? Then when I arrived, at least I could have gotten it back with interest.’ “He said to his attendants, ‘Take his money and give it to the one who has ten times as much.’ ‘But Master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten times as much!’ He replied, ‘I say to you that everyone who has will be given more, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for my enemies who don’t want me as their king, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” (Luke 19:11-27, CEB)
As I read this, my thoughts went to Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of the talents. Because it is basically the same story.
Here in Luke, the king calls together 10 servants and gives them each the same amount. When he returns, we hear about three of them. My first wonder is what about the other 7? I mean, one got 1000%, and the second got 500%. Could we say one got 900%, and another 800%, and another 700%, and another 600%, and another 400%, and another 300%, and then the last got 200%, because the last one wrapped the money in a scarf for safekeeping and has 100% of what was given to them.
At least at the end of Matthew, the only one thrown out is the servant with one coin. Here, all the enemies of the king are slaughtered before him.
This parable about us using what we have been given or face banishment or death is weird. We have been graced with a gift to give the world and are freed to serve. This is what we are called to do and be, and we should not do that because we are trying to avoid eternal punishment or the wrath of a vengeful king/creator.
Use what you have been given out of love, and know that it will always be replenished.
aSacredRebel 