Luke 19:12-27
The context of this parable tells us why our Lord spoke this parable. It was "because He was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear." Christ is the nobleman, and He is still away, waiting till the time arrives to receive His kingdom in its manifestation.
This must not be confounded with the hope of the coming of our Lord. The parable refers to Christ receiving the kingdom, and is spoken of in connection with Jerusalem, which is subsequent to the saints being caught up to meet the Lord in the air. It is, however, worthy of note, that the parable represents the same persons who receive the pounds when our Lord went away, as being alive when He returns and calls those servants to give an account of their stewardship, though ages may, indeed, roll on between His going away and His return. All were to be faithful while they await His return, and all must give an account.
No doubt, everyone has been struck with the similarity between this parable and that of the talents, in Matthew 24. The chief difference is, that there each received a different sum—one, ten; one, five; and one, one; whereas here, all receive the same amount—one pound. May not its application thus be, not so much to specific gifts, as to the responsibility, as servants that attaches to a profession of Christianity. Not natural gifts, but gifts connected with our profession. Here the persons are described as servants; and, as in many other places, those who profess to be servants are accounted as such, and made responsible accordingly.
There is another class spoken of—citizens. These sent a message after Him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us." And of these we read, "Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." These are, doubtless, primarily the Jews; they are His citizens, though the language of defiance is the language of man universally.
But the others are servants, and two of them made a good use of their pound, and received a "Well done," and a reward, according to the increase gained. But the other returned his pound, and insolently charged evil on his master. He had laid up the pound "in a napkin," instead of trading with it. He, however, owns his master as "lord," and was surely bound to do his best for his master; and even if he had thought him an austere man, he was nonetheless responsible to do his duty; for the other was his master.
The rewards—ruling over cities—point out its more immediate connection with Israel by-and-by; nevertheless, it strikingly illustrates our duty as servants of Christ. We call Him Lord and Master, and so He is; and we, as His servants, are bound to serve and obey Him. A mighty privilege indeed it should be counted by us to do anything for such a Lord, to whom we owe all we are and all we have. But here it is our responsibility. A pound is given to each of us, with the injunction, "Occupy till I come." Use what gifts you have, not for yourself, but for your Master; your reward will be by-and-by.
The pound which the unfaithful servant had is given to him who had gained 10 pounds, which brings out the important principle, that he who uses his gifts, has more given to him; while he who does not, loses even that which he had. How similar this is to that solemn word, "If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" May we all be found faithfully using the gifts God has given us. It will surely be for our good; for if we take His yoke upon us, we shall find rest to our souls, and it will be for His glory. How good it would be for some to be using the gifts they have, rather than to be lamenting over the want of gift, remembering the word that "he that watereth, shall be watered also himself."