Trustworthy Cultivators and Users

Luke 19:17  “Well done, my good servant!” his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter…”

            The entire parable of The Ten Minas can be located in Luke 19:11-26 just following the story of Zacchaeus. By way of providing a synopsis, a rich noble went to a distant country in order to be appointed king. Before leaving, he gave ten of his servants one mina each for a total of ten minas. Footnotes in most Bibles will reveal that a mina was approximately 3 months’ worth of wages. This noble was rich indeed for altogether he left behind 30 months’ wages for those ten servants, and a quick math calculation reveals a total of approximately 2 ½  years’ worth of wages. The story never reveals how long the noble was gone, but it does record his reactions upon returning.

            What I find unfortunate is that for most Christians the focus of this parable is widely centered upon a few words in verse 26, to everyone who has, more will be given. In my opinion, this sadly misses the point which I find to be not in anticipating “more” but in taking responsibility, (i.e., being trustworthy), for what one already has. Interestingly, I find this is applicable to gifts, talents, and abilities as well. My talents and abilities (and yours) are gifts from the Heavenly Father. It is my responsibility (and yours) to cultivate and use them to honor him.

            It has been said that each of us will have a grave marker with two dates. One is a date we draw our first breath, and one is a date we draw our last breath. Our responsibility is what we do with the little dash that separates those two dates. This is the measure of how trustworthy we are with the gifts, talents, and abilities our Heavenly Father has given us.

Acts 17:24-25  The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth…he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

            The questions comes to each of us: What will you do with your “everything else” – the little dash between your first date and your last?

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for the gifts, talents, and abilities you have given to each of us. May we be trustworthy cultivators and users of what you have entrusted to us.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

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email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com