19:11Luke 19:11

As He drew near to Jerusalem, Jesus added a parable because His hearers thought the kingdom of God should immediately appear.Ms 76, 1900, par. 4+2 They expected Him to take David's throne at Jerusalem and reign as a temporal prince to deliver them from Roman power and exalt them to immediate honor.Ms 76, 1900, par. 4+1 That expectation was mistaken, for He must first go away, suffer rejection and crucifixion, and pass through conflict before His triumph, so His servants have faithful work to do with entrusted truth before its victory.Lt 44, 1900, par. 6+1 God gives every person his work and entrusts His own goods according to ability, from one pound to five, including spiritual advantages, truth, talents, means, money, houses, lands, and tithes and offerings, to be used in co-partnership with Him.Ms 57, 1901, par. 15+2 His servants must not remain slothful but occupy till He comes, diligently trading and improving in grace and knowledge to win souls at home and in regions beyond, knowing the Master will examine each personal account to reward faithful improvement with more and to punish abuse and squandering with loss.2T 667.3–668.2+4

As He neared Jerusalem, He added and spoke a parable because those who heard Him thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.Ms 76, 1900, par. 4+4 They expected Him to take David's throne at Jerusalem and reign as a temporal prince who would deliver them from Roman power and glorify His people, giving them immediate honor as conquerors.Ms 76, 1900, par. 4+1 Because this false expectation was continually in their minds, He could not unfold many things He longed to tell them, so He put the truth in a parable to make correct impressions on their minds.Ms 76, 1900, par. 4

The expectation was mistaken, for He had first to go away, suffer rejection and crucifixion, and pass through conflict before His triumph was complete.Lt 44, 1900, par. 6 So the kingdom would not immediately appear, and His servants had work to do faithfully with the entrusted truth before its victory rather than expecting immediate honor.Lt 44, 1900, par. 6+1

God gives to every person his work and entrusts to His servants gifts that remain His own goods, to be used in co-partnership with Him.2T 667.3–668.2+2 The trust is given to each according to ability and varies from one pound to five, encompassing spiritual advantages, truth, talents, means, money, houses, lands, tithes and offerings.Ms 10, 1892, par. 18+3 Each person is to manage his own stewardship rather than hand it to another, and all means belong to God and are to be used to meet the needs of His work.Ms 26, 1896, par. 27–28+1 Those who fail to develop what is entrusted squander their gifts and will answer to God for them.Ms 10, 1892, par. 18+1

Christ's servants must occupy till He comes and must not remain slothful, but diligently trade upon what is entrusted, developing it and improving mentally and morally in grace and in knowledge.2T 667.3–668.2+2 They are to watch for opportunity to represent the truth to others, to win souls to Christ, and to give the message of truth not only in their own neighborhood but in regions beyond.Ms 76, 1900, par. 9+1 A faithful steward does all he possibly can in God's service with that one object, exercising frugality and self-denial.2T 667.3–668.2+1 No opportunity for serving God in little things is to be neglected, for nothing in God's work is insignificant, and faithfulness in doing the work decides each one's reward, so that the work of the one who has but one talent is as valuable in His sight as the work of the one who has five.Ms 25, 1899, par. 20+1 Having little is no reason to think one can do nothing, but every gift calls for faithful use and prayer for wisdom, and the minister's wife likewise is responsible to use her God-given ability earnestly and sacrificially to help save souls.GW 202.1+1

What is imparted is increased, for the more talents are exercised the greater the increase of capability, and as they impart what they have received they receive more richly.Ms 76, 1900, par. 9+2 Its wise use blesses the user, serves in saving souls, is shown in souls brought to the knowledge of the truth, and brings glory to God.Ms 9, 1898, par. 9–10+1 The servant's pound was first given by the Lord, so pound and gain come from His provision and belong to Him, the faithful servant takes no credit, and all praise and glory go to the Lord.Ms 57, 1901, par. 15 Each servant must give a personal account, for the Master examines how the trust was used, rewards faithful improvement with more, and punishes abuse and squandering.2T 667.3–668.2+1 Though no one is compelled to present tithe, gifts and offerings, God will surely require His own with usury at the hand of every human being, and refusing to use what is entrusted causes loss, forfeiture of blessing, and eternal separation from God.Ms 9, 1898, par. 9–10+1

Slothfulness in trading with the Lord's goods and selfishly withholding what belongs to God retards His work.Ms 57, 1901, par. 7+1 Money, houses, lands and other gifts are to be used to advance His work and build His kingdom, not to glorify self or indulge impulse.Ms 26, 1896, par. 27–28+1 When men cherish love of the truth and sanctification through the truth, it will banish avarice, overreaching and every species of dishonesty.Ms 26, 1896, par. 27–28 The command to occupy means the present is the opportunity for service, but probation may end and the account be fixed.2T 667.3–668.2 The verse stands in the account of His mission teaching that humanity can overcome evil by living faith in His divinity, for grasping divine power through faith helps overcome tempers, dispositions and unbelief in the battle of the Christian life.Ms 123, 1909, par. 19–20