11. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15. 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.
16. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant; because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21. For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24. And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26. For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
(Memorize verses 13-15.)
Golden Text: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10.
Note.—The parable of the pounds was spoken a short time before the crucifixion, probably about a week, and two or three days before the parable of the talents was given, recorded in Matthew 25. It would be well for the student to study that scripture in connection with this, as by the two the lesson of man's accountability is more complete. The parable was probably spoken in the house of Zaccheus, the tax-gatherer in Jericho. The record of Jesus at his house is given in Luke 19:1-10.
Suggestive Questions.
(1) What were the people expecting at this time in Jesus' ministry? Verse 11. (2) What did Jesus do to correct this erroneous idea? Same verse. (3) How did he begin his parable? Verse 12. (4) Who is represented by the nobleman? Note 1. (5) What is the far country? (6) When does he receive his kingdom? (7) What did he give his servants on his departure? Verse 13, note 2. (8) What command did he give them? Same verse. (9) How did his citizens treat him in his absence? Verse 14. (10) What did they say? (11) After what did he return? Verse 15, first part. (12) What did he command? and why? Verse 15. (13) What did the first servant say? Verse 16. (14) What did the Master say? Verse 17, note 3. (15) How was it with the second servant? Verses 18, 19. (16) What did another servant say? Verses 20, 21. (17) What did the Master say to him? Verses 22, 23. (18) What sentence did he pass? Verse 24. (19) Upon what principle did he pass such judgment? Verses 25, 26. (20) What did he say of his enemies? Verse 27. (21) What lesson may we learn from this parable? Golden text. Note 4.
Notes.
1. Nobleman.—The nobleman of the parable represents our Lord Jesus Christ. The earth is his by creation. When he came, “he came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Far country.—The far country is heaven, to which Christ went at his ascension. Then the Father said to him: “Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” “Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Ps. 110:1, 4. That is, a king-priest. See Heb. 7:1; 2:8; 1; Zech. 6:13. At the close of his priestly work he receives from his Father a kingdom, gives up his place on the throne of the Father, and returns to take his own kingdom. See Dan. 7:13, 14; Rev. 3:21; Matt. 25:31. Christ's kingdom is not to be set up until his second coming. 2 Tim. 4:1. Until that time his injunction to his servants is, “Occupy till I come.”
2. Pounds.—A pound, the Attic mina (100 denarii, or “pence”), worth about $17. The pounds represent the spiritual gifts which Christ bestowed upon the members of his church, to be used by those members till he should come again. So also the talents, given according to the ability of the man to use. See Matt. 25:15. That the pounds and talents represent spiritual gifts will be evident from the following facts: They were given by the same one, to the same ones, for the same length of time, to be used to God's glory. These gifts are mentioned in Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-13, 27-31; Eph. 4:8, 11-13. Compare with Matt. 25:14-30. These gifts, as the pounds, were given to servants (“his own servants,” Matt. 25:14), those devoted to Christ's service, “dividing to every man as He will.” The gifts are not of our choice or making, but God's. We are to use as he directs, occupying till he comes. These gifts of God, bestowed upon all, are precious, symbolized by the highest denominations of money (talent and pound) in the Jewish and Roman systems. So God's gifts to us are to be cherished and used to his glory, however small they may seem; and it is our duty to be faithful in the least, doing just as God says.
3. Well done.—Faithfulness is its own reward in increased ability, increase of spiritual wealth. If we would grow in Christ, we must labor for others. Then comes the approval of our Master. Then follows a larger field of labor, and the joy of our Lord in seeing the fruits of labor in his kingdom.
4. Faithful in the least.—Faithfulness is more than intellect or education or wealth. It is everything. No criminal or drunkard becomes so at once. He who is faithful in the little things will never prove unfaithful in great things. He who never covets, will never steal. He who never hates, will never murder.
