Luke 19:13-18
Luke 19:13 (KJB)
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto
them, Occupy till I come.
The nobleman had then called his ten servants and gave them ten pounds. It looks
like he had given them each one pound. The pound here is the Mina which was a
Greek coin worth 100 drachmas. A single drachma was the daily wage of a laborer.
So each of these servants were given the equivalent of three years wages which
was a considerable amount. Then they are given a command by the nobleman that
they are to occupy till he returns home. The word “occupy” carries with it the
meaning of “trade or do business.” He did not want the servants just sitting
around waiting for him to return so he gave them assignments to do. This is the
same situation that the Lord Jesus Christ did with His church. When he went back
to Heaven, He did not want His apostles or His church gazing into Heaven.
(Acts 1:11 KJV) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. We were given the task
to send forth the Gospel into the world, to advance the Kingdom of God until the
last one is saved and then He will return. The word “occupy” is also related to
a word which means “be busy.” This is what we must do and that is to be busy in
the Lord’s work. He assigns us ministries and we are to continue in them until
our death or till he returns.
Luke 19:14 (KJB)
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not
have this man to reign over us.
Now it seems that some of the people hated him and stated that they would not
have this man rule over them. This would also be a reference to the Jews because
the majority of them rejected Jesus but there were some who did not reject Him.
These were His Elect in Israel. The message spoken of here is a delegation of
people who hated Jesus and spread the word that they would not have Him reign
over them. The delegation would have been the scribes and Pharisees because
wherever Jesus taught or performed a miracle, there was a delegation
representing them or comprised of themselves who challenged Him.
Luke 19:15 (KJB)
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom,
then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the
money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Then the time of reckoning came for these ten servants. The evil desires of the
men who said they would not have this man rule over them did not come to pass
because he received the kingdom. Then he came and summoned those servants which
he doled out the money to so he would know how they did in conducting business
for him.
Luke 19:16 (KJB)
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
Then the Lord comes to the first servant and tells him plainly that his pound
hath gained ten pounds. The servant did not bring this information with any
arrogance or pride but delivered it in humility because notice the wording. “Thy
pound” is the way the servant spoke because he knew it was not his money to
begin with. We must always realize in ministry that we are to approach it in the
same way. It is not us who brings in the fruit but the Lord. (1 Cor 3:7 KJV)
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God
that giveth the increase. Our responsibility is to bring the true Gospel,
that is, the pound which the Lord gives us and we are never to change it in any
manner. We are to preach the Gospel from the Bible without adding or changing
anything. If you use a modern version, your gospel is already changed.
Luke 19:17 (KJB)
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful
in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
The nobleman’s response to him was that he did very well and because he showed
such faithfulness and business acumen in handling money, his responsibility was
now increased as a reward for doing very well. Within the kingdom of the
nobleman, he will have authority over ten cities. I am not sure how this relates
to the New Heaven and New Earth but it is definite that this person would have a
position of authority but as to what authority remains a mystery at present.
Luke 19:18 (KJB)
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
Then the Lord came to the next servant whom he entrusted a pound to. Then this
servant also humbly tells his master that his pound hath gained five pounds. A
great increase of 500%. This servant also seemed to have good business sense.