WINNERS AND LOSERS

( Luke 19:11-27 )
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 25 & 26 November 2000

The Parable of the Minas

Context: Luke tells us that Jesus told the parable as he neared Jerusalem, surrounded by people who supposed that “the Kingdom of God should immediately appear”. The purpose of the parable is not to state the Christian doctrine of reward for faithfulness, which is only part of the contents, but to damp down the expectation of the immediate bursting in of the kingdom. The parable teaches:

a) The need of a patient waiting for Christ.

b) The need of an active working for Him till the time of His return.

The Pounds: The nobleman distributed 10 pounds to his 10 servants, a pound a piece. The pound does represent any natural or imparted gifts. It represents the Gospel with all its privileges conferred alike on all those saved by grace. It is the blessing of salvation. The pounds is “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). The same gospel is entrusted to all.

Jesus told a parable of winners and losers.

I. WINNERS WORK WITH WHAT THEY HAVE

Everyone is a winner who tries to work with what he or she has. Christ rewards, not success, but diligence. The glory of the king’s reward is not the splendour of the city, but the joy of service. We will not spend endless days strumming harps; we shall also reign with Him (2 Tim.2:12).

1. Winner Who Excels
“Over ten cities.” This servant fulfilled his responsibility and traded with the pound. Buying up every opportunity, he increased his deposit tenfold and was made a ruler over ten cities with full commendation – full fidelity and diligence brought with it fuller responsibility and increasing spiritual capital.

2. Winner Who Wins Small
“Gained five” (:18). The second servant, though receiving a reward, receives no special word of commendation from his lord and was given responsibility for half a number of cities. He was moderately faithful and moderately blessed. He had not been so diligent and ambitious. The first represents Christians who excel; the second Christians who are content with small attainments and achievements. There is salvation in fullness, and there is also salvation “so as by fire”.

II. LOSERS TRY TO KEEP WHAT THEY HAVE

This third servant represents a believer who has not found salvation in Jesus Christ to be as attractive as he had expected – a legal Christian, who knows nothing of the grace of the gospel, and is acquainted only with its moral requirements. He was guilty of the “sin of omission,” slothful, having no desire to serve the Lord.

III. ETERNAL LOSERS REJECT WHAT THEY COULD HAVE

“Bring hither and slay” (:27). Surely the “slaying” here is more terrible than the physical death. They who will not submit to Christ the crucified will be crushed by Christ the King. Meekly now He stands at the door and knocks; then He comes as the lightning comes.

IV. ARE YOU A WINNER OR LOSER: THE UNNAMED SEVEN

We do not know how many of the unnamed seven were diligent, and how many were slothful. Where are you in this parable? You are one of the seven remaining servants who received gold coins. Have you faithfully used the gold coin of the gospel? Or have you kept it safely hidden for yourself? What will you say when your name is called? Will you be a winner or a loser? May we be found diligent, faithful, true to the trust that the Master left us!