180-181. Zacchaeus and the Parable of the King's Servants

BACKGROUND AND LINKS: 

180. Jesus brings salvation to Zacchaeus's home: Luke 19:1-10

The name Zacchaeus means "righteous one."  He needed Jesus so he could live up to the meaning of his name. He worked for unclean Gentiles and collected more taxes than required so he could have more income. Jesus asked to dine at his house and shocked the Jews who despised the tax collectors. Jesus gave salvation to this lost man who was willing to become like a child and change his ways after an encounter with Him. This story is in contrast to the rich ruler of Luke 18:18-25.

181. Jesus tells the parable of the king's ten servants: Luke 19:11-27

This is the last parable in response to the growing opposition and sums up His teaching to His disciples. Each disciple had responsibilities, and each was to follow through on those responsibilities. We should make the most of the gifts and talents He has given us. 

The nobleman is Jesus. His followers thought He was going to set up His kingdom immediately, but He was leaving, and they would be responsible for the work. A mina was three months' wages (A LOT of money - if you have $2,000 a month in income, that would be $60,000, $3,000 a month would be $90,000, $4,000 a month would be $120,000!), and represented the numerous gifts and talents He has given us to use for His glory until He comes again. They were to invest the minas wisely. The group that did not want the nobleman to be king represented the religious leaders and even the nation in general. 

The first two servants were commended for earning more minas. The last servant, who did not even invest, did not really expect the nobleman to come back so he was not involved in the king's business. He was thrown out of the kingdom. Sobering!  We need to invest our minas!

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

Speaking of "investing our minas." Just this morning, I was compiling a list of the spiritual gifts of our ministry team so I could send it to each of the members, exhorting them to pray that God would "fan into flame" (1 Timothy 1:6) the gifts God has given each of us. 

God has given you gifts, talents, and abilities so that you might work together with others in the body of Christ to bring Him glory. 

Do you know what your gifts are?  If you have followed the Bible Book Club, you know that I teach on SHAPE:

Spiritual Gifts
Heart Passions
Abilities
Personality Type
Experiences of Life 

All tests are flawed because they are usually based on things you have already experienced. How will you know if you have the gift unless you have had a situation where you have needed to exercise it?  

Here are three things that might help you discover your gifts:

How Can I Discover My Spiritual Gifts?

Spiritual Gifts Bible Study

Spiritual Gifts at a Glance  - This handout is based on my biblical study of each gift. I suggest you give this list to three trusted friends/loved ones and see what they think your gifts are.

PRAYER

Thank you for equipping us for responsibilities in Your coming kingdom! Help us to be passionate about carrying out those responsibilities for Your glory! We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.