“So he (the man of noble birth, Jesus) 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. 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 one 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.’” (Luke 19:13-20)
I’m shy, making it difficult to reach out to people (in person). I observe my sister and sister-in-law who are outgoing and spread God’s love so easily. They are examples of the first servant who was given charge of ten cities. Maybe I’m at the two or three-city level. I’ll explain.
God’s primary resource (mina=money=resource) is love. It’s the only resource God gives to His followers equally. (Each servant received one mina.) Jesus told His servant/followers to put their minas (love) to work while He was gone. His subjects, the Jews, particularly the Pharisees who wanted Him disposed of, followed Him to Jerusalem to deliver him to Pilate. Jesus was put to death on the cross and God gave Him authority over heaven and earth (made him king.) Jesus returned home to the kingdom of God which is both in heaven and earth.
Still on earth (Jesus returned to his disciples after he left the tomb) he sent for his disciples, whom he had given God’s love, to find out how they spread it. The first disciple shepherded ten people, the second five, and the third kept God’s love to himself. Jesus was elated with the servants who spread His love. He rewards us according to the number of people we spread His love to. We’ll find out tomorrow Jesus wasn’t happy with the disciple who kept His love hidden.
On my calendar I’ll list everyone I spread God’s love to until I love every person I come into contact with and make an effort to love people I could ignore. I want to become a better disciple.
Dearest Heavenly Father, I praise you for the wisdom of Your Parables. Give me the power of Your Holy Spirit to spread Your love so You will tell me, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matt 25:21) In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
It isn’t always easy for me to be outgoing. You put me in a room with a few people I don’t know and I am usually OK. You put me in a room with a lot of people I don’t know and I am usually not OK. I believe that we are born with a personality. God knows this and who we are. Some people are meant to preach in front of large crowds, some people are meant to do this job quietly. Jody, you shepherd to many people through your devotion. You are a wonderful disciple for God. You are doing this in a way that is comfortable for you. We all find a way that is comfortable for our own personality. Everyone spreads love in their own way. I could never be on a stage and preach to hundreds of people. God understands who we are, and accepts and loves us as exactly who we are, because he made us. I don’t believe that God would want us to be uncomfortable and anxious.
You made many good points. God definitely doesn’t want us to be anxious. Thanks so much for your encouragement! I love you.