"And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem."
Today's lesson appears, to some, to be complicated and hard to understand. However, when it is studied in it's proper context, it is a pretty simple lesson concerning the faith and commitment of the children of God and the rewards that will be offered, or denied them, through life and when Jesus returns to claim His Church.
From the parable Jesus applied, the "nobleman" represents Jesus as the ruling authority over His Church. The "ten servants" represent all the members of the Church both past and present.
Just as were the original members of the Church, each of us who make up it's membership today are given an equal obligation to do the will of God, just as each of the "ten servants" were given the responsibility of a "pound".
That servant who had caused the most increase in the value of his "pound", received the greatest reward, while that servant who did a mediocre job, received half as much. Those who did nothing to increase the value of their "pound", were given nothing and what little authority they had was taken away. Those who rejected the authority of the "nobleman" were condemned to death.
If we work hard in the service of our Lord, and teach the word of God as we are commanded, we are assured a position of authority in heaven. We will gain rewards equal to the amount of work we do; "Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward." (1 Corinthians 3:8 and 14)
As is made so clear in today's lesson, if we are saved and do nothing more, to spread knowledge of the saving grace of God, than occupy the same pew in the "church house" two or three times a week, we will not only gain nothing, we will lose all we have.
Finally, if like those who rejected the authority of the "nobleman", one rejects Jesus Christ and His divine authority, that one will face eternal condemnation and the fiery wrath of God.~
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