The Pouring Out Of A Spiritual Life

I am not interested in the past. I am interested in the future, for that is where I expect to spend the rest of my life. — Charles Kettering

Joseph's decision to take his young family to Nazareth instead of returning to the land of Israel, as directed by the angel, is a backstory in this parable by Jesus. Fleeing to Egypt to avoid the killing hand of Herod after Jesus's birth, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, directing him to take the family back to the land of Israel. But in Matthew 2:22, it said Joseph was afraid to go there after hearing Herod had died and his son, Archelaus, reigned over Judea. Instead, Joseph took his young family to Nazareth.

Why mention this account for this week's parable in Luke 19:11-27?

Archeleus was chosen by his father, Herod, as successor of his kingdom, but was rejected by the people, left for Rome to have his appointment confirmed, returned, rewarded his servants, and destroyed his enemies.

In this parable of the nobleman and the Ten Minas (also pounds), scholars think Jesus used Archelaus' recent history to awaken the imagination of those listening to what Jesus was teaching. Jesus was also warning the Jewish leaders they were about to do the same thing spiritually. Jesus, himself, is the 'certain nobleman' [v. 12], who will be rejected by the people, leave for a heavenly kingdom, and then eventually return. The ten servants given Ten Minas represented His disciples who were told to "Do business till I come." [v.13]

In this parable, Jesus uses the world of business and economics as a model for the lesson of investing in a spiritual life, increasing it, spreading the Gospel, and reaping greater rewards. The unproductive are rebuked, while the productive are rewarded—risk vs. reward. The risk and privilege of sharing the Gospel and representing Jesus Christ in a hostile world leads to greater reward and spiritual growth, as the first two servants experienced, leading to the advancement of Christ's Kingdom. The rewards for the first two servants' diligence were in proportion to the increase gained from their risk-taking. Or on the other hand, one can instead choose to cling to God's blessings and gifts, play it safe, which leads to a stagnation of one's faith and spiritual growth like the last servant who held onto what he had, was rebuked, and judged accordingly. Where one is not living in anticipation of the future promises that await and paying the discipline and sacrifice, but only interested in staying in yesterday's fading light stuck in the known.

Notice in the parable that those who do nothing with what they possess, will have what they had taken away and given to those who will steward the resources and gifts of God. It's a life lesson that the more we pour out in life and in self-expenditure, the more that life pours back into us. Even a full glass of water can be refilled by pouring out what it contains so more water can be poured back in. Verses 23-24 suggest we should seriously pour out our all in everything we have and do, and steward the gifts God blessed us with by serving Jesus Christ without measure or lack of accountability, or in short order, we will lose it, and our spiritual life will depreciate.

The header in J. B. Philips's translation of the New Treatment for this parable in Luke is an excellent reminder for us and the church:

Life requires courage, and is hard on those who dare not use their gifts.

-Dan Nickel