Luke 19:18
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
Luke 19:18 (KJV)
Context
Jesus told the parable of the ten pounds as He was drawing near to Jerusalem, because the crowd supposed that the kingdom of God would immediately appear (Luke 19:11). In the parable, a nobleman gives one pound to each of ten servants and instructs them to do business until he returns. The second servant comes before the nobleman and reports, “Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.”
Meaning
The servant’s address, “Lord,” acknowledges the nobleman’s authority over him. The pound, a Greek mina, was a significant sum of money, and the servant reports that he has multiplied it fivefold through diligent activity. His report is a direct account of faithful stewardship: he used what was entrusted to him and produced a measurable increase. The servant’s words are brief and unadorned, yet they carry the weight of honest accountability before his master.
Biblical connections
This parable parallels the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, where servants also receive resources and are held accountable at their master’s return. In Luke 19:19, the nobleman rewards this servant with authority over five cities, showing that faithful use of what is entrusted leads to proportionate responsibility. The contrast with the servant who kept his pound laid up in a napkin (Luke 19:20) highlights the importance of active, productive service during the time before the master’s return. The setting of the parable also corrects the disciples’ misunderstanding about the immediate appearance of the kingdom, teaching that a period of faithful service precedes the nobleman’s return.
Application
God has given each believer gifts, abilities, and resources to use for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. Like the second servant, we are called to invest what we have been given in acts of love, service, evangelism, discipleship, and stewardship. The parable teaches that we will give an account to God for how we have stewarded what He has entrusted to us, and that faithful service brings reward.
Rewards and Accountability: The nobleman rewards the faithful servants based on their productivity. In the same way, God rewards His faithful followers for how they use their resources and talents for His kingdom, reminding us that we will give an account for our stewardship.
Reflection
Luke 19:18 challenges us to be faithful and productive with what God has given us, whether material possessions, talents, or opportunities. May we be faithful stewards who invest in what matters to God, knowing that one day we will give an account and receive the reward from our Heavenly Master.
