“How much?” Short, but weighty words, important both in their significance and in their setting. (Read Luke 19:1-271And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 11And 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. 12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15And 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. 16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22And 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: 23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26For 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. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:1‑27)).
The first ten verses tell of the “Salvation” which the Lord Jesus brought at His first coming. But if this is known and the soul is deepening in the “grace of Christ,” it is necessary to respond to the parable our Lord “added” for those that “thought the kingdom of God should immediately appear.” The Lord Himself is seen as the nobleman pictured in the parable. He has gone to heaven, received the kingdom and will presently return. Before going, He said to His servants, “Occupy till I come,” giving to each one the same sum wherewith to trade.
Have you ever asked yourself for what purpose God saved you, gave you eternal life, sealed you with the Holy Ghost, filled you with peace, joy and hope, gave you the Holy Scriptures, and gifted you according to the grace given? Surely all this is included in the “pound” entrusted alike to each one of us.
It is a decisive day in your spiritual life when you say to yourself:
“I am not only a child of God, but He has given me the privilege and responsibility of being His servant.”
From henceforward, by His gracious help, your one object and interest in this world (apart from earthly duties) should be to “occupy,” to trade with your pound till He comes, and to trade with all your strength, for very soon your Lord and Master will return.
Before He sets up His kingdom in this world, He will ask each one “How much” has been gained by trading with His pound, in His absence? How blessed to hear from His lips, “Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful (not successful) in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”
Be encouraged, dear brother or sister in Christ, to use His pound faithfully, no matter how insignificant your service may be. Remember it is grace alone that will put you in heaven forever, but for faithfulness in your service now, He will confer a reward in His kingdom. Very, very soon this glorious kingdom will be set up in the place in which He died, and then “if we have suffered with Him we shall also reign with Him.”
Many earnest servants apparently go in for quantity— “How much?” —regardless of quality— “What sort?”
We need to be constantly in the Lord’s presence for direction in all our service, so that our labor for Him here may be suitable to our Master’s mind. So that it may be characterized by Him as “gold, silver and precious stones”: instead of as “wood, hay and stubble,” to be consumed in the testing fire of His judgment. Thus will it be “found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:77That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7)).