Beloved, I have a simple message to share today, something we are all familiar with. There is no new revelation here, but I feel the Lord is reminding us of something very clear and encouraging us to obey.
The Orderly Account of the Minas
Let’s look at the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19. Luke, being a physician, provided an orderly and researched account. In the context of this chapter, Jesus had just spoken to Zacchaeus in Jericho. Because the people supposed the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately, Jesus told them a parable about a nobleman going to a distant country to receive a kingdom.
"And he called ten of his slaves and gave them ten minas and said to them, 'Do business with this ten minas until I come back.'" (Luke 19:13, NASB 1995)
While many think this is the same as the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, it is different. Here, ten servants are each given one mina—a pound of silver equal to about three months' wages. This represents a significant amount of capital given to each person to put to use.
The Essence of Faithfulness
When the nobleman returned, he called the slaves to see what business they had done. To the first, who grew his mina tenfold, he gave a beautiful commendation:
"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, NASB 1995)
The most important quality of a servant is faithfulness. In Greek, the word for faith and faithfulness is the same: pistis. To be faithful is to be full of faith; it is a loyalty and commitment that stems from the word of God dwelling within you. You cannot be a faithful Christian without the Word, as faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
Three Divine Principles of Faithfulness
In Luke 16, Jesus laid out three principles that are the foundation of biblical faithfulness:
Faithfulness in the Little Things: "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much" (Luke 16:10, NASB 1995). God tests us with small responsibilities—perhaps a single friend to talk to or a family member to serve. If you aren't faithful in these, you won't be faithful in large things.
Faithfulness with Unrighteous Wealth: "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?" (Luke 16:11, NASB 1995) . Money is a topic Jesus spoke on frequently because of its power to deceive and corrupt. If you handle money faithfully, God will entrust you with "true riches"—heavenly possessions and spiritual authority.
Faithfulness with What Belongs to Another: "And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?" (Luke 16:12, NASB 1995) . We are often called to steward what belongs to someone else, whether in a job or a ministry. If you are faithful there, the Lord will make you master over your own.
Overcoming Excuses and Fear
Some of us feel we cannot share the Gospel because we don't know enough. But you don't need to be a perfect theologian. The most successful evangelism often comes from those who just met the Lord and are excited to tell their neighbors.
I remember when I first saw a "316" sticker; I had no clue it meant John 3:16 because I hadn't seen a Bible until three months prior. I had no musical talent and no one in my family could sing, but I gave my joy to the Lord. He took that "little" and multiplied it, allowing me to sing and teach others to play music for His glory.
An Eternal Perspective
Our life here is short compared to eternity. We must be careful not to be short-sighted, blinded only by our immediate surroundings and comforts. We will all face a judgment—not to see if we believe, but to be judged by what we did with what we were given.
Don't be like the "worthless slave" who hid his mina in a handkerchief because he was afraid. God wants you to put your resources—your car, your house, your time, and your gifts—to use for His kingdom. There is no greater joy than knowing the Lord is pleased with what you do.