Luke 19:11-27
There were two phrases from the parable of the ten minas in Luke 19:11-17 that got me thinking. The first is in verse 13. "Engage in business until I come." And the second is in verse 17. "Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities."
These two statements prompted me to consider my attitude about serving, how I go about serving, what exactly my service has looked and does look like and how much effort I'm putting into it right now. (It was a good exercise, by the way.)
So what does this passage show you about what God expects from you in the here and now, and how what you do now will matter in a life to come? Which one of these 3 servants do you most closely align with? How can you improve? Tami W.
I get really confused about the serving. What is it that I am suppose to be doing?
This passage is also confusing for me. If our Lord is described as these verses say "21for 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." it implies that he is not a loving kind God, and that he takes what does not belong to him. We know that all things belong to our Lord, and that he gives us all things. This is just a description that I don't quite understand.
This passage shares that it is not enough to simply receive God’s gift expressed in the gospel. Once received, I become responsible to share it with others. Examples of sharing his word should be seen in the way I love, the way I forgive, and even simply in the way that I act. I should be in the world but not of the world.
Ironically, this highlights my struggle with your message of yesterday. I do not know how to keep my motivations pure, free from pride and self interest. And yes, it is hard to reconcile a loving God with a vengeful and selfish God also portrayed in the bible.
Take care and God bless
Ron
Dora and Lorraine,
I have found BTTB programs very helpful in learning about serving, what God expects from us, and facing Jesus on Judgment Day. If you are interested, they are found in "Go Deeper," then you can listen to broadcast or read the transcript.
If you miss them, you can click on "Broadcasts" at top, then "BTTB radio," then "Program Archives," then "View."
They are very informative and enlightening.
Much thanks to BTTB, Woodrow Kroll, Tami Weissert, and all staff, for having all this available for us learn. I am grateful for the teachings you give, and they are helping me to grow in God with what I am learning. Thankyou so, so much!
It seems to me the passage is talking about us serving the kingdom of God, with our gifts and talents, and what we have, at our place of work or home or church, As for the third servant he saw God as a hard taskmaster, fear and unbelief affected his service.
God is never a hardtaskmaster, just asked Moses, he will point you to Pharaoh. God provide manna for forty years for the children of Israel, HE will Provide for you. He Gave His ALL on the Cross, we serve Him willingly, to please Him, and hear Him say On that Day,
"Well done, you good and faithful servant" Amen?
I think its quite understandable, all He want from us is to be useful for Him here and now.Whatever we do and however we do the service of Him that own us,that is what we will be judge by when we reach home.Don't forget heaven is home.All He want from us is to be a vessel to honor in His hand. I pray that we will be found useful and make heaven.
Dora,
Service is work done by a person or group that benefits another, so serving Christ would be doing those things that please Him and move forward His work on earth, especially as it relates to His Church.
Christians are called to service, but it must be service motivated by a love for God. Acts of service that are done to gain praise from others are not what the Lord wants from His followers. Our reward for service comes from God, not from men. Examples of service would be helping people in need; witnessing for Christ, discipling new believers; working in the church parking lot, teaching the Bible, driving a handicapped person to the grocery store, taking care of children in the church nursery, etc. etc.
Here are two Bible verses about serving the Lord:
1 Peter 4:10 ESV: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:"
1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV): "Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you."
Ray
Biblical Correspondent at Back to the Bible
Lorraine,
Here are a couple thoughts on your question...
The parable in Luke 19:11-27 has to be understood in the context in which Jesus told it.
The time for Jesus' death was drawing near. He had been teaching and proclaiming the coming kingdom for three or more years. He was offering Himself as Israel's Messiah. The leaders of the nation of Israel hated Him and were considering how to destroy Him.
Jesus' disciples still did not understand why they should not expect Him to set up a political kingdom immediately, without the cross.
Jesus told the parable to both His followers and the religious leaders of the nation. Both kinds of people were in the crowd.
Jesus is the nobleman who goes to a far country. His ten servants (followers) are all given provision to do his work (a mina is about three month's wages). His citizens (the leaders and nation) hated him and rejected his leadership (v. 14).
When the noble ruler returns, he calls his servants. Three of them are mentioned. The first two are rewarded. The third calls him a mean man, revealing that he is not actually a true servant, but is one of those who are rejecting his rulership (Judas Iscariot would be an example of this kind of false follower).
The ruler then also pronounces judgment on the citizens who have rejected Him (v.27)
It is the false disciple and the nation with its leaders who speak of the ruler as a cruel, mean-spirited person. That's the way the world thinks of Christ.
Hope this helped clarify a few things.
Ray
Biblical Correspondent at Back to the Bible