September 23, 2016

ALL ABOUT THE KING'S BUSINESS!

Luke 19:11–27

Tyler Briggs
Friday's Devo

September 23, 2016

Friday's Devo

September 23, 2016

Central Truth

Jesus has given us all a business plan and the tools to accomplish that plan. The plan is to make disciples, and the tools are the Holy Spirit, natural talents, and spiritual gifts. Our calling is to be faithful with the King’s business until He returns.

Key Verse | Luke 19:12–13

He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.'" (Luke 19:12-13)

Luke 19:11–27

The Parable of the Ten Minas

11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, 1 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15 he gave them ten minas, 2 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! 3 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

Footnotes

[1] 19:13 Or bondservants; also verse 15
[2] 19:13 A mina was about three months' wages for a laborer
[3] 19:17 Or bondservant; also verse 22

Dive Deeper | Luke 19:11–27

From 2007-12, I was all about business. I worked in the health and fitness industry and was only concerned with using my gifts to build my own kingdom. My life was ordered around this objective, and I was good at it. In early 2012, however, I realized that I was a lousy “king,” and the business I was chasing was meaningless. I learned that there was a good King who had a purpose for my life and gifts. This good King was Jesus Christ, and He had called me to be about His business. I made the decision to receive God’s grace and be about the King’s business in June 2010. It was the greatest decision of my life.

The analogy in the parable of the minas is clear. Jesus is the nobleman who must leave to be crowned king and will then return. In His time away, Jesus has entrusted His followers with gifts and talents to be used for building His kingdom. The citizens who rejected the nobleman as king represent all those who reject Jesus as King. Luke 19:12-13 states, "He said therefore, 'A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.'" In short, we are to be about the Lord’s business. Jesus has given us all a business plan and the tools to accomplish that plan. The plan is to make disciples and the tools are the Holy Spirit, natural talents, and spiritual gifts. Our calling is to be faithful with the King’s business until He returns. Everything we do should be ordered around this objective.

God has given each of us gifts. He allows us to make the decision to neglect these gifts, to use them to build our own kingdoms, or use them to invest in the kingdom of God. Be about the King’s business now. Then, look forward to the day when you stand before Him and hear the commendation, “Well done, good servant!”

Discussion Questions

1. How has God gifted you? What are your natural talents and spiritual gifts?

2. How are you currently using your gifts and talents? What "business" is your life centered around? 

3. What changes do you need to make in your life so that you can be more intentional about making disciples?