The parable of the Ten Servants, also known as the Parable of the Ten Minas, is a teaching of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke. This parable is a profound illustration of stewardship, responsibility, and accountability in the Kingdom of God. It is recorded in Luke 19:11-27.

Context and Setting

The parable is set in the context of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. As He approached the city, many believed that the Kingdom of God would appear immediately. To address this misconception and to teach about the nature of His Kingdom, Jesus shared this parable. The setting reflects the socio-political climate of the time, where rulers would often travel to receive authority over a kingdom.

The Parable

In the parable, a nobleman is preparing to travel to a distant country to receive a kingdom and then return. Before leaving, he calls ten of his servants and gives each one a mina, instructing them to engage in business until he returns. A mina was a unit of currency, representing a significant amount of money, though less than a talent.

The nobleman’s citizens, however, despise him and send a delegation to express their opposition to his rule. Despite this, the nobleman receives his kingdom and returns to settle accounts with his servants.

The Servants' Accountability

Upon his return, the nobleman calls the servants to account for their stewardship of the minas. The first servant reports that his mina has earned ten more. The nobleman commends him, saying, "Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities" (Luke 19:17). The second servant reports a gain of five minas and is likewise rewarded with authority over five cities.

However, the third servant approaches with a different report. He has hidden the mina in a cloth, fearing the nobleman’s harshness. The nobleman rebukes him for his lack of initiative and takes the mina from him, giving it to the servant who earned ten. The nobleman declares, "I tell you that everyone who has will be given more, but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him" (Luke 19:26).

The Rejection of the Nobleman

The parable concludes with the nobleman addressing those who opposed his rule. He orders that his enemies, who did not want him to reign over them, be brought and executed in his presence. This severe judgment underscores the seriousness of rejecting rightful authority.

Theological Implications

The parable of the Ten Servants emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship in the Christian life. Believers are entrusted with spiritual gifts, resources, and opportunities to advance God's Kingdom. The nobleman represents Christ, who has gone to receive His Kingdom and will return to judge the living and the dead. The servants' varying degrees of faithfulness illustrate the diversity of responses to God's call and the corresponding rewards or consequences.

The parable also highlights the reality of opposition to Christ's rule. Despite resistance, His Kingdom will be established, and those who reject His authority will face judgment. This serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal significance of accepting Christ as Lord and Savior.

Conclusion

The parable of the Ten Servants is a powerful teaching on stewardship, accountability, and the coming Kingdom of God. It challenges believers to faithfully use what they have been given for the glory of God, with the assurance that their labor is not in vain and will be rewarded in the fullness of time.