Jesus gives us two similar parables to talk about rewards at his return. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 identifies rewards with faithfulness. In the parable of the Minas in Luke 19:11-27, Jesus discusses rewards but from a different angle. The focus is on the call for his followers to be engaged in his “business” until he returns to call us to account.
The broader and immediate context helps us identify the focus on the first and second coming, the time gap between them, and the judgement at his return. The broader context is Jesus’s journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. He tells his disciples for the third time about his impending death on the cross and his resurrection (Luke 18:31-34).
The immediate context is the encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus where the crowd grumbled at Jesus for fraternising with a tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). But Jesus makes a statement that serves as the hinge for understanding the parable of the minas that follows: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
The Business Jesus Entrusts
Luke states explicitly why Jesus tells this parable. They were near Jerusalem, and the same crowds who questioned Jesus’s judgment for fellowshipping with Zacchaeus expected him to establish the kingdom on earth immediately (Luke 19:11).
Through this parable, Jesus corrects their understanding of two things. First, the work of the King spans the time between his first coming and his second coming. Second, Jesus entrusts his servants with his “business” and will call them to account at his second coming.
The nobleman is Christ who returns at his second coming (Luke 19:12). He gave one mina to each of his 10 servants, and each was rewarded according to his return. One mina was about three months’ wages, probably Rs. 75,000 in today’s terms. The instruction was simple: “Engage in business until I come” (Luke 19:13). Like any investor, the nobleman expects a return on his capital.
But what does “business” symbolise? In the context of the encounter with Zacchaeus, it is loving the lost whom Jesus came to save. That is the first task of doing the business of Jesus. We must love the lost and never hate them. We love the lost because Jesus, who loved us, also loved the lost (1 John 4:19; Luke 15). Our love for Christ and the lost drives us to engage in his business till he returns.
The Gracious Reward
The reward for those faithful in “business” is to rule with Christ (2 Tim 2:11-12). Note the disproportionate nature of this reward. This is not a wage we have earned but a reward marked by grace. Even if Jesus gave no reward, it should be enough that he has saved us from the wrath of God and adopted us as sons (Rom. 5:9; Eph. 1:5).
But he is a generous God who gives us far beyond what our work is worth. We have received grace in coming into Christ’s kingdom (Eph. 2:8). We have received grace as we live; we will receive even more grace when Christ returns (Titus 2:11-13). Grace runs through the whole story of the Bible, and even on the day of judgment, we will experience tremendous generosity.
We also see a principle of proportionality here. The one who brought back 10 minas was put over 10 cities, and the one who brought back five minas was put over five cities. We are not told how Christ will measure, but we know his judgment is marked more by grace than by what we deserve (John 1:16-17).
The first two servants are just two out of the 10, but picture those who are faithful to varying degrees and are recognised as having been faithful in the master’s “business.”
Being Faithful Stewards of the Gospel
The third servant is judged as worthless. He does nothing with the mina and, in fact, does not even keep it in a safe box but wraps it in a cloth. This shows deep disrespect for the master and his task. He falsely accuses the master of being strict and reaping what he did not sow (Luke 19:21). We have just seen the master’s tremendous generosity, but the wicked servant is judged by his own words. He was unwilling to do even the bare minimum, like putting it in the bank to earn interest.
The master gives this servant’s one mina to the one who has 10, and Jesus states another principle of his judgment: “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Luke 19:26). Those who pursue Christ’s agenda will never be disappointed. This is not about receiving wealth here on the earth, but treasures in heaven.
In India, we are often falsely accused of “forced” conversion. No human can convert another; it is purely an act of God when someone encounters Christ (Matt. 11:27). Our business as servants of Christ is to be witnesses to the gospel. The world and Satan will continue to put pressure on believers to be silent in this witness (1 John 2:16). But to do so would be malpractice of the stewardship given to us as ambassadors of Christ. We will have to answer to Christ if we deprive the world of the greatest gift.
The Judgement Demands Urgency
There is also a parallel story in this parable regarding his first coming. The nobleman’s citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14).
Jesus is harking back to recent history. They are in Jericho near a palace built by Archelaus, the son of Herod the Great. Archelaus went to Rome around 4 BC to receive the kingdom from the Roman authorities. But a delegation from Jerusalem went to the emperor after him, asking that he not be made their ruler. Archelaus was, nonetheless, given the throne and took revenge on that delegation.
Jesus indicates that those who oppose him now will face the same judgement (Luke 19:27). The crowds following Jesus now do not want a king who will defeat sin and death but one who will follow their political agenda. The same crowds will soon want Jesus crucified (Luke 23:21).
Both the unfaithful servants of Jesus and those who reject Jesus will face his judgement at the second coming. This is why our plea is so urgent. We must plead with the world as ambassadors for Christ: be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:20). This is our business.
For Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. And all of us must give an account to Christ when he returns (2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1-2).
