Luke 19:19-24

Luke 19:19 (KJB)
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

This servant was given the same reward in proportion to the amount of pounds he had raised for his master. This servant also had good business acumen. Even though he did not bring in as much as the first servant, nevertheless, he occupied and gained. This is how we are to be in ministry. We may not have ministries which draw thousands or even millions, but we are to be faithful in whatever God assigns us.

Luke 19:20 (KJB)
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

Then the third servant who also received a pound apparently did not wait to be summoned by his Lord. He came to him and gave him his pound back which he had kept for him in a handkerchief. He probably kept the pound on him for safekeeping. Maybe this man thought that the others would lose their pounds in doing business and that when they lost their money, he would be able to at least give his Lord back his pound and he would gain favor by his Lord. Unfortunately, if that was the plan, it backfired.

Luke 19:21 (KJB)
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

This servant then goes into his reason for not doing business with the pound. First, he tells his Lord that he feared him. This would have been a false reason because his Lord had enough faith in him to give him a pound along with the other nine. Then he calls him an austere man. In the context of the servant’s remarks, he was calling him a severe, harsh, or rigid person. He had seen his master as one who took advantage of others for his own benefit. That is why he said he was one that takes up what he did not lay down and reapest what he did not sow. It was like he was also calling him a crook and a thief. Not a very wise thing for a slave to say to his master.

Luke 19:22 (KJB)
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Then the Lord says to him that his own words will judge him. (Mat 12:37 KJV) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. The Lord did agree with him that he was austere man but not in the sense of being harsh but strict and strict in business. He then told him that he does take up what he did not lay down and reaps what he did not sow. This can be said for anyone who has made investments, especially in stocks. It is the employees of that company you invested in which make the money and pay you dividends without you lifting one finger to do any work there. So this Lord had a right to be angry with him because this servant obviously knew nothing about how business works but since he was a wicked servant, he did not know anything about proper business investment. It is the same with many Christians today. There is so much to do to advance the Gospel in the world and so many just walk around with their ears plugged up with some music. The Christian who says he or she is bored, is being like that wicked servant who takes the Gospel which dwells in them in the Holy Spirit, and just sequesters Him until the Lord returns. What will they be able to present to the Lord on that day?

Luke 19:23 (KJB)
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

Then the Lord says to the servant, then why didn’t you just place my money in The bank where I could have at least earned interest. Many Christians may be asked that same question. If you couldn’t do ministry, then why could you not just financially support some ministries? Did you really need 158 CD’s of music? Or do you really need to walk around texting all day? Supporting ministries is like placing your money in the bank of Heaven where it will earn eternal interest in the form of people’s souls.

Luke 19:24 (KJB)
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

Then the Lord commands that the one pound which the wicked servant had neglected to do business with was to be taken from him and given to the one who made ten pounds. The principle is thus, when one is not faithful in what God assigns them, then they are to lose that privilege of stewardship. (1 Cor 4:1-2 KJV) Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. {2} Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. As Jesus previously said, if you cannot be trusted to handle money, then who can trust you with the true riches?

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