Parable of the Minas (Pounds)

Minas (Pounds)

Luke 19:11–27

Opening: A Nobleman, a Journey, and a Ledger
Jesus describes a nobleman who travels to receive a kingdom. Before departing, he calls servants, entrusts each with a mina, and gives a plain charge: “Do business till I come.” He later returns, opens the books, and settles accounts. Every servant answers for what he did with the king’s trust. Faithfulness is measured, rewards are assigned, and negligence is exposed.

Setting the Scene
Luke places this lesson on the road to Jerusalem. People assumed the kingdom would appear at once (Luke 19:11). Jesus corrects the timeline and sharpens duty. There will be a period of responsibility before His return. Disciples live in that interval with clear instructions, steady work, and certain accountability.

The Story in Brief
Each servant receives the same sum—one mina. The command is uniform. Upon the king’s return, one servant reports tenfold gain, another fivefold, and one returns the untouched coin with an excuse about fear. The king commends the faithful, entrusts them with greater authority, and condemns the idle. Hostile citizens who rejected the king face judgment.

What the King Expects
“Do business till I come” sets the standard. The King authorizes work and expects increase consistent with opportunity (Luke 19:13). Scripture speaks the same way: “It is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17). Obedience to the King’s charge shows loyalty; fruit shows diligence.

Equal Trust, Personal Accountability
Every servant receives the same trust in this parable. Results differ because effort differs. No servant answers for another. Each answers for himself (Romans 14:12). The Lord’s judgment weighs action against instruction (John 12:48). Reward follows proven reliability—authority over cities for the servant who proved reliable with a small coin (Luke 19:17, 19).

What Faithfulness Looks Like Today

• Handle the gospel precisely as the Lord delivered it—teach, practice, and keep the pattern without additions or subtractions (1 Corinthians 4:6; Deuteronomy 4:2).

• Speak truth, keep promises, reconcile quickly, and show integrity in daily dealings (Matthew 5–7).

• Use abilities for the good of the body—teaching, serving, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Peter 4:10–11).

• Test traditions and preferences by Scripture and keep only what aligns with the King’s word (Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:8).

• Order life for the Master’s return—steady duty rather than speculation (Mark 13:34–37).

Excuses Exposed
The third servant claims fear and a harsh view of the king. The ledger shows idleness. The king answers from the servant’s own words and points to the simplest action he neglected—placing the mina with the bankers to earn interest (Luke 19:22–23). Excuses vanish when weighed beside clear commands and available opportunities. The storm and the courtroom both expose empty talk.

Warning to Open Opponents
Some citizens send a message: “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14). Rejection carries consequence. The returning king judges them (Luke 19:27). The kingdom advances by the King’s authority; hostility toward His rule ends in loss.

Readiness Measured by Doing
Entrance belongs to those who do the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21). Salvation is appointed to those who obey (Hebrews 5:9). The faithful servant hears the charge, accepts the trust, and acts within the King’s authority. The record at the end reflects that posture—either increase through obedient effort or loss through neglect.

Conclusion: “Do Business Till I Come”
The King has spoken, entrusted, and departed. The hour of His return is withheld; the standard for service is revealed. Put His word to work. Build, teach, reconcile, serve, and hold the pattern He gave. When He appears, may He find a ledger filled with obedient gain.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline

• Text and Context

  • Read Luke 19:11–27

  • Immediate setting: expectations of an immediate kingdom (Luke 19:11)

• Elements of the Parable

  • Nobleman receives a kingdom; issues a charge (Luke 19:12–13)

  • Equal trust (one mina each), clear instruction (“Do business”)

  • Hostile citizens reject the king (Luke 19:14)

  • Return, reckoning, rewards, and judgment (Luke 19:15–27)

• Doctrines Emphasized

  • Stewardship and accountability (1 Corinthians 4:2; Romans 14:12)

  • Work under the Lord’s authority (Colossians 3:17)

  • Judgment by the Lord’s word (John 12:48)

• Marks of Faithful Service

  • Keep the revealed pattern without additions or subtractions (Deuteronomy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 4:6)

  • Use abilities for the body’s good (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Peter 4:10–11)

  • Test traditions; reject human doctrines that displace God’s commands (Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:8)

  • Live as those awaiting the King (Mark 13:34–37)

• Excuses and Their End

  • Fear-based idleness exposed (Luke 19:20–23)

  • Neglected simple obedience (interest with bankers)

  • Loss of trust and opportunity (Luke 19:24–26)

• Warning to the Rebellious

  • Citizens who reject the King face judgment (Luke 19:27)

• Applications for the Church

  • Teach and practice only what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6)

  • Measure ministries by the King’s charge and results that honor Him

  • Replace delay with daily duty; fill the ledger with obedient work

• Invitation

  • Begin by obeying the gospel—believe, repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21)

  • Continue in steadfast labor under the King’s authority (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Call to Action
The King has entrusted you with time, abilities, influence, and the gospel. Open the books today. Start the work His word assigns. If you have never obeyed the gospel, do so now. If your mina sits wrapped in a cloth, unwrap it and put it to work under His authority.

Scripture Reference List (with notes)

• Luke 19:11–27 — Parable of the minas: equal trust, clear charge, final reckoning

• 1 Corinthians 4:2 — Stewards required to be faithful

• Colossians 3:17 — Work in the name of the Lord

• Romans 14:12 — Each gives account to God

• John 12:48 — Judgment by the Lord’s word

• Matthew 7:21 — Doing the Father’s will marks true allegiance

• Hebrews 5:9 — Salvation to those who obey

• Deuteronomy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 4:6 — Do not add to or go beyond what is written

• Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:8 — Human doctrines displace God’s commands

• Romans 12:4–8; 1 Peter 4:10–11 — Use varied gifts in service

• Mark 13:34–37 — Assigned work and watchful readiness

• Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21 — Appointed response to the gospel

• 1 Corinthians 15:58 — Steadfast, abounding labor in the Lord

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO