Trading gold: teaching of Jesus about His expectations of people. Dr Paul Taylor
I also encourage all of you to read Luke 19:11-27
Jesus shares this parable because the people thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately. So Jesus said, "So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten Minas
“While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.
So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ “He was made king, however, and returned home.
Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
“His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ ””
Luke 19:11-27 NIV
A mina was worth about 3 months salary. In essence the master was giving them start up money for a business.
"...and he said to them, Do business until I return."
The master was giving them money, but they would have to use their own gifts and talents to do something with that money to bring an increase. Every thing God does is for increase! The word of God is very specific about the master returning and wanting to know what these servants GAINED BY TRADING!
The word for business in the Greek means to busy oneself with trade. The root word means to practice habitually or over and over again. What were the reasons for this trading?
There must be a reason why the master would give these men money?
We need to think about this question and how the 10 men responded.
Note that Jesus never makes a difference between spiritual work and any other kind is work!
There are three groups of people represented in this group that reflect what many people do today.
I love what Dr. Josimar has taught.
Personal economy x Personal finances
You must first take care of your own personal life and family before you can run a successful business. Paul taught this to Timothy. Paul also wrote in I Corinthians 15:46
"However the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual."
Could it be that we are practicing now for eternity? What u do at home and then in your business is critical to building the Kingdom of God now and for eternity!m
The three groups represented by the 10 servants.
2 were obedient and worked using their God given ability to multiply what was given to them. They had to believe that if the master gave them this money then he had to believe they had the ability to multiply it to produce a gain. Why? To feed their family and to help others.
One man was controlled by fear! So much so that he buried his money. I know so many people who are controlled by fear. They are afraid that God will be mad with them or they will make a mistake. The master was angry because he did nothing with what had been given to him. He took that money and gave it to the one who had gained the most. The master was not foolish. He invested that money with someone who would do something with it!
"To everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
Luke 19:26
The other 7 men He calls them enemies who did not want Him to rule over them. They were killed.
What is Jesus trying to convey to all of us?
Let me also begin with a question. "Do you believe that God only gives gifts, talents to people who believe in Him? Were these men in the parable of the talents all believers? Is this simply a spiritual parable? Sorry, that is three questions.
Dr. Josimar has asked previously "Why do unbelieving businessmen prosper more than believing businessmen?"
Again, the three groups of people represented are:
1. Those who had faith. We assume faith in God. In the One who gave them the gift. Could they also be those who believed in their abilities, their dream, their idea, their cause enough to attempt what is in their heart? This lifestyle of faith burns in people and becomes a passion that enables them to overcome obstacles of all kinds.
If you had to choose between the person who had a passion for something or a Christian who feared making a mistake or had no self confidence in accomplishing anything. Who would you choose?
I would choose the person who believed in his ability to achieve his dream!
Put faith in God and in who He created you to be and there should be nothing that is impossible to that person.
2. The person of fear? Well fear is the opposite of faith. Faith in God or faith in yourself. An attitude of fear will destroy and attitude of faith every time. Then we blame God that He never does anything for us. I have news for you. HE HAS ALREADY DONE EVERYTHING THAT HE NEEDS TO DO WHEN HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU!!! IT IS FINISHED! That says it all. Yet fear will overcome the power that rolled away the stone! IN THE MIND OF THE PERSON WHO POSSESSES FEAR ONLY! NOTHING IS GREATER THAN GOD UNLESS YOU SIMPLY DON'T BELIEVE IN HIM OR YOURSELF.
Why should you not believe in who God created you to be? God believes in you!
Some say this is sacrilegious, but you are a son of God. Created in His image, for His purposes! If you don't believe in you, who will?
Don't let fear keep you from what your were created to be and do! Why else has He given you that gift?
3. The last group of people are those who simple refuse to believe in God and to allow Him to rule in their lives. So many people are in this group because of religious thinking. They think God wants to control them when in reality it is man that wants to control them through religion. True faith in God brings FREEDOM! Freedom to pursue your dreams, But for His purposes. Purposes that are full of blessing for you and others.
It is so sad that so many fail to understand the request of the Master. He gives to us so as we yield to Him and the gifts He has given that we prosper in all that we do in life. Not just church life or business life but LIFE!
Be blessed my friends. Believe in God and believe in who He has created you to be! Nothing is impossible !
