The Parable of the Ten Minas is told by Jesus in Luke 19:11-27. It is a parable about faithfulness, stewardship, and accountability. Here is a summary of the parable:
A man of noble birth called ten of his servants and gave each of them one mina (which was worth about three months’ wages). He told them to put the money to work until he returned. After some time, the nobleman returned and called his servants to give an account of how they had used the money entrusted to them.
One servant had earned ten minas, another five minas, but a third had just hid his mina away without putting it to use. The nobleman praised the first two servants for being good stewards of what they had been given. He gave them even greater responsibilities. But he rebuked the servant who did nothing with his mina, taking it away from him.
Finally, the citizens who rejected the nobleman were slain in his presence. Jesus ends the parable by saying “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” (Luke 19:26).
There are a few key lessons we can take from this parable:
1. We are all accountable for how we use what God has given us
The minas represent the gifts, resources, and opportunities that God grants each of us. As Christians, we are called to be wise stewards of all that God gives us, using it for His purposes and glory. We should invest what God has given us – our time, talents, treasure and opportunities – for the growth of His Kingdom.
The master in the parable expects each servant to have made good use of what he had entrusted to them. Likewise, God expects us to use responsibly all He has placed under our care. We are accountable for how we use the minas we’ve been given. (See Matthew 25:14-30 for a similar parable).
2. Faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibility
The two servants who doubled their master’s money were rewarded with far greater responsibilities. Likewise, God rewards faithfulness. As we are faithful in handling the small, seemingly insignificant tasks and resources allotted to us now, God will entrust us with greater Kingdom responsibilities and roles.
Using our gifts wisely and for God’s purposes – even if they seem small – pleases God. He notes and rewards our faithfulness. “His master replied, ‘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!'” (Matthew 25:21).
3. Failure to use our opportunities and gifts leads to loss and regret
The third servant simply hid his mina away, burying it in fear rather than investing it productively (Luke 19:20-21). As a result, the coin was taken from him and given to another who had been faithful. His inaction – likely rooted in fear – led to loss for him.
When we fail to employ the gifts, talents and opportunities God grants us for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom, we may forfeit them. We may discover one day that the ability or resource we failed to invest has withered away from disuse or been entrusted to another.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48). Knowing this, we should seek to be faithful stewards.
4. There are rewards for faithfulness, and consequences for unfaithfulness
The two productive servants were rewarded with blessing and greater responsibility. But the unfaithful servant lost what had been entrusted to him. The citizens who rejected their master suffered dire consequences.
While salvation is by grace not works, Christ’s parables frequently warn that there are eternal rewards for faithfulness, and consequences for unfaithfulness and lack of repentance. “And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).
The blessings we will enjoy in heaven, and the crowns and responsibilities we are given, will differ based on our faithfulness and stewardship in this life. These motivations for obedience should stir us to live wisely and intentionally for Christ.
5. Using our resources for God’s Kingdom should lead to multiplication, not mere preservation
The two faithful servants didn’t just preserve the money, they actively invested it so that it would multiply. In the same way, we shouldn’t just maintain the status quo with what God has given us. We are called to multiply the potential impact of our blessings by strategically leveraging God’s gifts for greater Kingdom fruitfulness.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48). The expectation and desire is supernatural multiplication of what God entrusts to us. We serve a God of abundance whose blessings and provision overflow. Our stewardship should reflect that Kingdom reality.
The faithful servants who doubled their master’s money clearly understood this principle of supernatural Kingdom multiplication. Their stewardship reflected the generous, abundant nature of their master.
6. There is an element of unpredictability and uncertainty as we await Christ’s return
The citizens who rejected their master did not know the timing of his return. In the same way, while Christ’s return is certain, the exact timing is unknown to us. We are called to be faithful stewards in our master’s absence, occupying ourselves with Kingdom purposes until He returns.
There is always an element of uncertainty as we await our Master. But this should spur us on to faithful obedience in pursuing His purposes. We know He will return one day to reward each person according to what they have done (Revelations 22:12).
7. There will be a day of reckoning when Christ returns
Upon the nobleman’s return, there was a day of reckoning for all his servants. They each had to give an account of their stewardship. In the same way, there will be a final day of accounting for every Christian when Christ returns.
We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our lives and stewardship. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
This future reckoning and reward provides both warning and motivation for obedience. We heed Christ’s instructions because we know we will one day have to give an account before Him.
8. Salvation is by grace, but rewards depend on faithful stewardship
While entry into the Kingdom is only by grace through faith, Jesus makes it clear that ongoing reward and responsibility is tied to faithful stewardship. Salvation cannot be earned, but reward can be forfeited.
The servants were all invited to share in their master’s happiness – a picture of salvation by grace. But additional reward and responsibility was tied to their fruitfulness.
As redeemed believers, we should be motivated to live faithfully knowing our works have ongoing implications (Rev 22:12). Right theology should lead to righteous living.
9. Those who reject Christ face dire consequences
The parable ends with the grim judgment faced by the master’s enemies who rejected him. They are slain in his presence when he returns. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences awaiting those who defy Christ’s Lordship.
Hell is a real place, and those who reject Christ face eternal separation from God. The New Testament repeatedly warns of this tragic fate awaiting unrepentant sinners. John writes “whoever does not believe [the Son] shall not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” (John 3:36b).
Christ’s return will bring both unimaginable reward and indescribable punishment. This stark reality should motivate us to repentance and faith.
10. We are called to bring forth fruit for God’s Kingdom as we await Christ’s return
The servants were expected to be productive in their master’s absence – putting their mina’s to work until he returned. Likewise, we are called to bear spiritual fruit for God’s Kingdom as we await Christ’s coming again.
There should be evidence of spiritual growth and Kingdom-advancing activity in our lives. We have each been given a unique Kingdom assignment, gifts and opportunities. We should invest these wisely for eternal rewards.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9). Our eager, faithful work for God’s Kingdom glorifies Him as we long for Christ’s return.
Much more could be explored, but these key lessons provide insight into the meaning and implications of Christ’s Parable of the Ten Minas. It provides both warning and encouragement as we await our Master’s return, challenging us to live intentionally and make the most of all we have been given for eternal rewards.