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A Believer’s Story
A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself. As the ruler over his country, he put people in charge of his business until he returned, giving each of them a mina, or money to do business with while he was gone.
For reference, a mina in bible times was worth about 3-4 months wages for an average person.1
Upon returning, the nobleman called those he put in charge of his business to get an account of their work while he was gone.
The Nobleman Promoted Him
The first person came to him and reported that the mina left with him had grown to 10 minas. The nobleman was pleased with his work and promoted him over 10 cities.
The second person approached him and said that his mina had grown to 5 minas, so the nobleman promoted him over 5 cities.
The third person came near and surrendered the mina which the nobleman had given him, explaining that he was afraid of the nobleman and apparently afraid that he would lose what was given to him to work with while the nobleman was gone.
The nobleman replied, asking why he didn’t put the money in the bank so that he would have received interest on the money when he returned?
Jesus Christ and His Kingdom
Unlike the first two who applied themselves while their master was gone, this third person hid what was given to him and went about his own business as if he had never been asked to do anything. The result is that his master was upset with him for neglecting the command given to him to trade and do business in his absence.
In Jesus’ time, people thought God was returning immediately, so Jesus illustrated through a parable that the time was not yet ready and that God’s people should continue growing His kingdom in His absence. This parable refers to Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
After rising from the dead but before His departure, Jesus told His disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
I Woke Up Feeling Empty
Long have I pondered this third person as he relates to myself. I have imagined the first two as preachers and pastors of our day who have multiplied believers in a mighty way. People like Billy Graham, Charles Spurgeon, Dwight Moody and so many others. But this third person I am sad to say is most like me.
I have always been shy and carried insecurity like a blanket everywhere I went, so there is no way I could draw people to Jesus Christ like many of my brothers and sisters. And like this third person, I have gone about my business, doing my own thing, and thinking that one day maybe I could participate in growing God’s kingdom. That is, until I woke up feeling empty because I was doing nothing.
Sure, I was reading my bible and praying every day, growing in my heart and faith, but I had no outlet. And this is the mistake, I believe our third friend made.
James’ letter says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26 This means our faith in Jesus Christ will naturally produce fruit reflecting that faith.
The Fruit of Your Faith
Not too long ago, Jesus Christ opened my eyes to the reality that so many people are dying without Him. Like a brick between the eyes, it hit me hard that people everywhere are going to their grave and missing the goal of heaven. Friends, let me tell you, eternity is a long time. It just won’t do that people miss Jesus Christ and all He offers.
It takes all the people of God to minister to a dead world and witness of the life to come. We don’t need to be mighty preachers but we do need to let our faith in Jesus Christ shine around us.
I am not going to tell you how to be a light in a dark world. That is between you and Jesus Christ. Ultimately, each of us will stand before Him alone to answer for what we have done in this life.
My encouragement to you today is to let your light shine, no matter how little it is, so that the fruit of your faith may be evident on the day you stand before Him.
Resources
- https://www.answers.com/Q/How_much_is_a_Mina_worth_in_the_Bible
The Parable of the Minas
“Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
“And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’
And he said to him, Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’
“Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.
For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ And he said to him, Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that 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 him who has ten minas.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’” Luke 19:11-27