Luke 19:13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Luke 19:13 (KJV)
Context
Luke 19:13 is part of the Parable of the Ten Minas, which Jesus told while traveling to Jerusalem. In the parable, a nobleman gives ten servants one pound each and instructs them to engage in business until he returns. The number ten is likely a round number rather than a symbolically significant figure.
Ten Servants
The nobleman represents Jesus, and the ten servants represent believers. Each servant receives one pound, a unit of currency in that time. The equal distribution shows that God does not differentiate based on the quantity of resources; He is interested in how faithfully we use what we have been given.
Responsibility and Trust
The command to “occupy” means to engage in business or trade. This implies that God has entrusted each of us with resources, gifts, and opportunities, and expects us to use them wisely for His purposes. The master’s absence represents the period between Jesus’ ascension and His return.
Faithful Stewardship
The parable emphasizes the importance of using our God-given resources and talents to further His kingdom. As faithful stewards, we are called to invest, grow, and multiply what God has entrusted to us, whether it be our time, skills, finances, or spiritual gifts.
Accountability
The master’s return signifies the second coming of Jesus. At that time, He will evaluate how His followers have used their gifts and resources. We will be held accountable for our actions and the impact we have made for God’s kingdom. Not all servants prove faithful, as one later is called wicked, showing that accountability includes both reward and judgment.
Application
This parable encourages us to be diligent and faithful in utilizing our gifts and resources for God’s glory. It challenges us to actively engage in the work of His kingdom, spreading the Gospel, serving others, and making a positive difference in the world.
Trust in God: The phrase “Occupy till I come” also reminds us to maintain a posture of readiness and anticipation for the return of Jesus. While we wait, we are to continue faithfully serving and trusting in God’s plan and timing.
