Risking Everything for the Kingdom

By Dean Collins

Jesus dropped lots of breadcrumbs to help us understand what he wants us to do. Yes, there are some passages that leave us wondering what Jesus meant, but there are many where it is clear what Jesus meant for us to know and do. But unfortunately, we sometimes ignore or plead ignorance instead of obeying. 

In Luke 18 we see the rich young ruler struggle with giving up his material goods to receive all that heaven has to offer. Then in chapter 19 we watch another rich man, Zacchaeus, climb a tree in order to see and hear Jesus. The result of his encounter with Jesus was to become a follower and give half of everything he owned to those in need and to pay pack with interest to all the people he had defrauded. It is at the end of this story that Jesus leaves us a breadcrumb: 

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (19:10)

Luke then tells us that as they heard these things, Jesus told another parable as he got closer to Jerusalem, where he would enter the city as a humble king riding into the city on the back of a borrowed donkey. Jesus knew that many of his listeners were still waiting and wanting an earthly and powerful king to take out the Romans. But Jesus had a bigger mission in mind. So, as he approached the city and his final week ahead of his crucifixion, he told the story of the ten minas.

As you read this parable, you discover several things that might have earlier seemed unclear. One important discovery is that in this story, the nobleman gave the three citizens the same amount of money to engage in business for him while he was gone to receive his kingdom. 

The second thing of note is that in this parable everyone has to take risks. As the parable begins, those with the minas have no idea what the outcome will be. They do not know for sure if the nobleman will return in charge of a bigger kingdom. They believe or have faith that he will, but they will not see it fully until he returns. And each citizen has to decide what risk they are willing to take in doing business for the nobleman. After all, it was the nobleman’s money they had in their possession and not their own. Their profit or loss depended on the risk they were willing to take.

 Knowing that the nobleman had high expectations weighed in their minds. They understood that success would likely be rewarded, and failure would have consequences. And with that in mind, each made their decision. Two of the three citizens went for it. They took chances, and their risk resulted in significant growth that was praised by the nobleman. They were rewarded with significant responsibilities in the kingdom that nobleman secured. 

The third citizen simply held tight to the money he was given and made sure he didn’t lose any. When the nobleman returned, he was punished for his failure to take risks. The parable ended with a harsh warning that those who chose not to be reigned over by the nobleman/king would lose their very lives.

 Jesus said the that he came to seek and save the lost. That was his mission from day one. And that is the mission and work that he has assigned to all who would follow him. Each of us who have received salvation from Jesus have been given the one task of sharing this wonderful gift with others. We may or may not see the results of our investing the good news of Jesus with others right away. We may not see it until Jesus returns in glory. But one thing is clear: we are not to keep Jesus wrapped in a handkerchief and hidden in our pockets. We are to take risks and discover the power of the gospel will always bear rich and eternal rewards for us and for others.

Father, today we see clearly that we are to risk rejection and potential failure and simply find courage to tell someone the good news of who you are and what you have done in our lives. Thank you for trusting us with the gospel. Use us today for your kingdom purposes and glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Luke 19:11-27 ESV

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