Luke 19:10-27
Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty.
“Notice what you notice.” Two items come to mind today. First, I was wondering in Jesus’ parable what would have happened if one or more of the ten servants had invested the minas and come up short of the ten – or maybe even lost it all. After all there is always some risk with investing; really good plans can go sour when the economy goes south. (NOTE: So long as the servant(s) could explain their investment(s) and did not “gamble” it away…) My guess is that the nobleman would have accepted the loss and advised on future investing, but not upbraided the servant. That is, (my guess again, is that) we can fail and fail again in our efforts, but to the extent that we are seeking the Lord He would still commend us.
Second, the “handkerchief” servant showed no effort and no gain, but the nobleman simply took the ten minas from him and gave them to the ten-return servant, with no punishment meted out to this “lazy” servant. However, having referred to him as a “wicked” servant, my guess is that, at a minimum, he would have been dismissed or been reduced to some dreadful chores on the nobleman’s land. This servant’s situation sounds a lot like Jesus’ words to the Church at Laodicea, I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16) Be HOT for the Lord, folks. It’s the only way!
Slava Bohu!