Lenten Reader | Day 33

March 26th, 2021

Responsibility

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.’

- Luke 19:11-24

As a father and former athlete, I had the opportunity to coach my kids in their sports when they were younger. As their father, I knew what my children were capable of doing and the skills that they possessed. Many times they did not perform to the best of their abilities. They were often content to perform at the level of the other children. As a Dad, I was angry. As a coach, I was disappointed and wanted them to try harder. Sometimes, I pushed them harder than the other children. I knew that they could do better and wanted them to succeed. I also wanted them to be an example to the other players. The other children knew that my kids were “the coach’s kids!” If the coach’s kid can act this way or even goof off, then it was okay for the rest.

Not only did I know that my kids COULD do better, I knew that they SHOULD do better as an example for their peers. Our relationship with Christ is the same. As Christians, Christ commands us to “engage in my business until I come.” He wants us to do our very best with whatever we are given for our own good, for his glory, AND to be an example to the rest of the world.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I know that you have uniquely gifted me to perform my task today. Help me to use whatever gift you have given me, to the best of my ability, for YOUR GLORY and for building YOUR KINGDOM here on earth. Amen”

-Jerry Kunz