September 24, 2010
What is your spiritual ROI?
Luke 19:11-27
Bill Ashbaugh
Central Truth
Biblical faith is not a spectator sport. Christ-followers serve. Belief without action is merely philosophy or knowledge. At Watermark we are often reminded that the goal is not to become smarter sinners. It is in serving that we become more like Christ and experience God’s rewards and blessings.
Key Verse | Luke 19:17
"And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.'"
(Luke 19:17)
Luke 19:11-27
The Parable of the Ten Minas
11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, 1 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15 he gave them ten minas, 2 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! 3 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for 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.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘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. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
Dive Deeper | Luke 19:11-27
A few years ago, my venture capital firm gave a guy named Ken and his management team funds to grow a promising early-stage business. Thirteen months later, he returned to us four times our investment. We like Ken. We eagerly offered to give him more "minas" for his next business. Sadly, not all of our investments have such a happy ending. Return on investment (ROI) is a big deal in the business, or temporal, world. Jesus makes it clear that it’s a big deal in the spiritual, or eternal, sense, too.
In this parable two servants obeyed their master’s command to put to work the money he gave them, and they achieved returns of five and ten times the amount invested. The other hid his away, fearfully ignorant of his master’s nature. The master richly blessed the faithful servants and took back the mina from the “wicked” servant, giving it to the one who was most productive.
Jesus’ message was clear. Inaction is not an option for a believer. God has blessed us with time, treasure, and talents, and He wants us to put them to work. Paul teaches that each of us has a gift from God (1 Corinthians 7:7) and Peter urges us to use our gift to “serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV) We serve not to earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), but out of love and gratitude for what Christ did for us (2 Corinthians 5:15, my favorite verse, so look it up!).
Another observation from this parable is that God rewards his faithful servants. And we don’t even have to wait for the Master’s return. We can enjoy the rewards of joy, contentment, purpose, peace, and blessing others right now! There is great freedom in obediently serving our Master and sad bondage in selfishly living for ourselves. In the words of Joshua 24:15 (NIV), “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose this day whom you will serve” [yourself, your job, your possessions]. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Discussion Questions
1. Would you be excited to see Jesus if He returned today and asked what you did with your mina?
2. Everyone who joins our church agrees to serve. If you are attending Watermark, have you joined? If not, why not? If so, are you serving?
3. What is your spiritual gift? If you are not sure, Watermark has resources like the SHAPE survey that can help you find out.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What’s the coolest gift you have been given? What did you do with it the day you got it?
2. Why was the master upset with the servant who hid the “gift” he was given?
3. What gifts has God given to you? (Think about things, salvation, blessings, talents, people, etc.). Are you hiding your “gifts,” or are you using them to bless others and bring glory to God?