One of the things Jesus was known for when He lived on this earth was His parables, and to this day, people often wonder why He spoke in a way few would understand. His reason, I think? If you knew Him, you would be more apt to understand. And He wanted others to know Him. Parables are fictitious stories which reveal important morals in their telling or by being read. Jesus taught His disciples and others as well through parables.
As an example, let's look in the Book of Luke, Chapter 19, and examine a parable about a nobleman who went to a distant land to have himself appointed as a king. He gave each of his ten servants except one a number of coins, but to the one servant he gave only one coin. His request to each of the men was to "put the coins to work and I will assess your work when I return."
When he returned, he called the same servants to him to hear their report on what they had accomplished while he was gone. The first nine men each reported earnings with their coins and each were assigned cities equal to the number of coins they had been given. However, the last servant, when asked how much he had earned, was reluctant to admit he had earned nothing.
"Sir," the servant said, "here is the one coin you gave me. I kept it safe in a piece of cloth. I was afraid I would lose it and you would be angered, as you are a hard man." His master was angry as the servant had not even put the money on deposit so it could earn interest and said, "Take the coin from him and give it to one who has ten coins!"
(And the Bible adds the meaning of this parable:) "To everyone who has, more will be given."
Study/ "God punished the man because: 1) He didn't share his master's interest in the kingdom.
2)He didn't trust his master's intentions. 3) His only concern was for himself. 4) He did nothing to use the money.
Like the king in this story, God has given each of us gifts to use for the benefit of God's kingdom. If we want the kingdom of God to grow, we must trust God to govern it fairly. We must be concerned for others' welfare as we are for our own. We must be willing to use faithfully what He has entrusted to us." (End study notes.)
I assure those reading this that God does not mean for gifts to only be coins and their riches, but rather gifts that we find in the 1st Letter to the Corinthians: Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miraculous Powers, Prophecy, Distinguishing between Spirits, Speaking in Tongues, and Interpretation of Tongues. These riches are to be used for others when the Holy Spirit calls us to use them.
I look forward to the day when God's individuals might seek one of His gifts from Him so it can be used among His people and any other to whom that person may be called.
Once again, God's Word has brought His meaning to us. Thanks be to God!
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