A different kingdom, the challenge to risk, a mandate for today
By Dean Collins
Much has been said about Jesus and money. Jesus references money several times in his parables. We have all heard pastors and financial planners talk about this when they are advising or admonishing us about good stewardship. I certainly agree that money was an important topic to Jesus. However, a closer look at his parables that mention money seems to suggest that money or even wise stewardship of money wasn't his main point.
There are hundreds of mentions concerning bread in the Bible, too, and several by Jesus. But Jesus wasn’t mentioning bread to make a point about enjoying or avoiding carbohydrates. He used bread to illustrate bigger points, such as the reality that he is the source of life. As we read Scripture, it’s important not to grab verses and twist them to prove some point. I think this is especially true when considering the parables of Jesus. Jesus used lots of illustrations in the parables that might include good business or financial principles, but what he was trying to teach was more about his Father’s kingdom and how differently it operates from the kingdoms of this world.
A different kingdom
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and neared his final teaching opportunities before his crucifixion, he specifically used two parables to illustrate how different his kingdom was from the kingdom the Pharisees and others expected. In the first, he said a nobleman left his servants in charge while he went away to take possession of a kingdom. He gave responsibility to 10 servants to invest 10 minas. Basically, the nobleman put the 10 servants in charge of making money for him while he was gone.
The citizens didn’t like the nobleman and sent a bunch of folks to try and disrupt the nobleman taking possession of the kingdom. It appears that maybe the citizens tried to interrupt the 10 servants from their assignment as well, because when the nobleman returned from his successful trip, he checked on his investments. Only 3 of the 10 gave a report on what they had done with the money. Two of the 10 took risk and were rewarded for increasing value for the noblemen. One servant buried the money and was punished by the nobleman. We hear nothing about the other 7 servants.
You may be familiar with Matthew’s similar parable of Jesus where there were three servants. So was Matthew right? Was Luke right? Did Jesus tell the parable two different ways? There are scholars who argue about the answers to those questions, but I choose to simply trust that Jesus may have very well told two similar parables.
The following and the risk
What strikes me is that only two of the 10 were willing to take risk; the other 8 either hid the money or possibly even took the money and ran. The two who took risk were rewarded. Maybe there is a subtle or not-so-subtle message in this parable. Following Jesus by living according to the principles of the kingdom of God does come with risk. There are many who don’t like Jesus and do not want to accept his kingship. Some run from Jesus and his kingdom. Some do nothing with what God has given them. But those who trust that Jesus is king and that his ways are to be our ways act in faith, trusting that God will work through them and bring kingdom returns.
I suppose financial planners might use this parable to talk about a balanced portfolio. That might be a good approach to money management, but Jesus was talking about things far greater than a 401k.
The stone rejected
In the next chapter of Luke, we find another parable about the owner of a vineyard who went on a trip and left others to manage the vineyard while he was gone. At some point, the owner sends a servant to get some fruit from the harvest, but the servant gets beaten up. This happens again, and finally the owner sends his son to get the fruit. Shockingly, the tenants of the man’s vineyard plan to kill the son. Everyone who heard the parable was stunned. Jesus knew his audience and that many were resistant to the kingdom of God he came to initiate. Jesus ended the story by quoting the prophet: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
Jesus wasn't trying to give lessons on raising grapes. And his comment about the cornerstone wasn’t a construction tip. He was teaching that his kingdom was appearing and that it does not and will never resemble the kingdoms of this world. As king of the kingdom, he models how we are to act toward others. He instructs us toward stewardship of his resources and reminds us that nothing we have or have earned is really ours.
As Jesus presides over his kingdom, he is looking to see if we will place our faith in him and take kingdom risks to extend and expand his kingdom. I am praying for you as I pray for myself, that we will go all-in with Jesus. That we will act with bold faith, trusting God to use our faith to extend his kingdom near and far.
Lord Jesus, forgive us when we micromanage your Word. We pray that the Holy Spirit would inform our understanding of your Word. We pray that you would increase our faith and change our hearts so we would take bold steps in sharing your good news today. May your kingdom come here, around us, in our work, in our homes, in our communities, as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Luke 19:11-24-27; 20:9 -18 ESV
Photo by jose alfonso sierra on Unsplash
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
