Minas…..what do you do with them?

 Minas…what to do with them…

Okay, your boss is leaving for awhile and he gives/entrusts  you with part of his business while he is away…what do you do?

Say…”party is on” and do the minimum or nothing…, keep the doors open, let it slide until you see him on the horizon, scrambling to clean up, looking smug as he walks through door…like everything has gone on when he left…

Or, do you say, “wow, he trusts me, what can I do to increase that trust.”, clean shelves, contact customers, innovate new ideas and increase the business…show him your enthusiasm…

I have watched TV shows where the owner has installed cameras around the business to see what is happening while he is gone…wondering why the business has gone downhill or flourished in their absence…

As I read about the parable of the ten minas, these scenes are what came to mind…

 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 

He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ 

“But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ “He was made king, however, and returned home. 

Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 

“The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ 

“Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ 

“His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ 

“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 

“He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 

But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

Luke.19.11-27

We have king who loves us, giving us gifts as well while he “away”…what do we do with them? Do we hide them under a bushel, do we party on as if there is no return? Or do we find joy in using those gifts to to glorify Him?

Thank YOU for the gifts you bestow…so generously…

 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Rom.12.6-8

There’s a sweet sweet Spirit in this place…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enloHcLayyQ

There are many sources for finding your spiritual gifting…it is a delight to see how God has gifted each one of his children…as it is a delight to be used by Him in furthering the kingdom…

https://www.raystedman.org/daily-devotions/ephesians/what-is-your-gift

https://www.tyndale.com/sites/unfoldingfaithblog/2019/10/01/a-quick-list-of-biblical-spiritual-gifts-which-gifts-exist-and-what-they-mean/