THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

217did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reapingwhat I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so thatwhen I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'” (vv. 20-23).The first servant did business with his master's mina, and had ten more to show for it.This was an impressive 1000% increase.The first servant received praise because he demonstrated faithful handling of themaster's resources. He was given authority over ten cities in the kingdom his master justreceived. And the reward for faithful service is not rest, but more service!The second servant brought another good report. He did business with his master's minaand had five more to show for it—a 500% increase. He is also rewarded, though not with thewords "Well done, good servant." The number of cities he is given authority over is in proportionto his faithfulness in doing business with his master's resources.The third servant did not have a good report. He did not obey the master's command to dobusiness until He came back:"Then He said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give itto the one who has ten minas.’ ‘Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'’ (vv. 24-25)Taking the mina and burying it underground is not doing business!It is probably an observation that some person made while our Lord was delivering theparable, with a design to correct him in the distribution as if he had said, "Why give the mina tothat person? He has got ten already; give it to one of those who has fewer."Instead of rewarding the third servant, the master rebukes him because the great authorityand power of the master should have inspired the servant to greater diligence, not todisobedience and laziness.The third servant had all taken from him. Although he remained his master's servant andcontinued to live in his house, he was left with nothing because he proved that he was unable tomanage his master's things. And so he was given nothing to manage.Severe Punishment (19:26-27)The punishment for those who rebel is severe: