Luke 19:25-27

Jesus’ words certainly sound different from the rhetoric espoused by the so-called pundits in our modern day political arena. He has a way of turning the world upside down with His teaching, shaking the foundation both under the leaders of His day and of ours. You can almost hear the “It’s not fair” mentality in the very first sentence of our verses for today!

Spiritual giftings are given by the Spirit as He determines to be used to further God’s kingdom here on earth, to build up the body (the church) and to bring Him glory. We find in Scripture:

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Cor 12:7-11 (NIV)

When Christ returns, He desires to find us going about His Father’s business through these giftings which He has bestowed. Make no mistake about it; every believer in Christ has received at least one gift from the Spirit – every believer. Upon Jesus’ return to establish His kingdom, we are to be found faithfully using these giftings to fulfill the responsibilities God has prepared in advance for us to do – this, by the way, is for our good. He will reward the faithful commensurate with their service and judge those for the lack thereof.

“It is fitting that those should lose their gifts who will not use them. ‘Take his mina away from him.’ It is given to him who had the ten minas. When this was objected to because he had so much already, it is answered, ‘To everyone who has, more will be given.’ It is the rule of justice.” Matthew Henry

We too may echo, “That is not fair,” yet the rule of justice proclaims the sentence stands. As James tells us:

12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. James 4:12 (NIV)

“Let us then no longer envy one another, or indulge a rash and censorious spirit; but rather covet earnestly the best gifts of meekness and love, and by the help of Divine grace, faithfully improve the talent committed to our trust, that each of us may receive that heart-reviving word, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!” K.H. Von Bogatzky

His enemies, too, will be punished before Him. As Scripture states this day will come upon us like a thief in the night, no one knows the day or hour of His return. Paul tells us:

2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 1 Thess 5:2-6 (NIV)

“Utter ruin will certainly be the portion of all Christ’s enemies. Bring them here, to have their frivolous pleas overruled, and to receive sentence according to their merits. Those who don’t want Christ to be their king shall be thought of and dealt with as his enemies. Those will be accounted so who will not submit to Christ’s yoke, but will be their own masters. Whoever will not be ruled by the grace of Christ will inevitably be ruined by the wrath of Christ.” Matthew Henry