Finishing Well

Luke 19:11-27

11 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. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a] ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’´14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ 15 “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. 16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ 17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ 19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ 20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 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.’ 22 “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? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ 25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 26 “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. 27 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.’

​Imagine for a moment that you are a servant entrusted with a precious treasure, a "mina." In the ancient Greek world, the word mina (uva) referred to a unit of weight, a measure of value. Yet, in Luke 19, Jesus uses this term to represent the very resources God entrusts to each of us: our time, our talents, our relationships, and our experiences. Today's parable of the ten minas challenges us to consider how we have invested these gifts in the service of God's kingdom, especially as we approach the later seasons of our lives.
 
In this story, a master, preparing to embark on a long journey, entrusts his servants with minas and instructs them to do business until his return. When the master comes back, he calls for an account of how each servant has invested what was given to them. The expectation is clear: faithful stewardship is not a matter of size or grandeur, but of heart and intent. This message resonates deeply for us, particularly for our seniors who have spent a lifetime accumulating wisdom, nurturing relationships, and experiencing both the joys and challenges of life.
 
Consider the story of Mrs. Thompson, a beloved member of our congregation. Despite her advancing years, she noticed that her neighbor was struggling with daily tasks and the isolation that can come with age. With a compassionate heart, Mrs. Thompson began spending her afternoons helping, mowing the neighbor's lawn, tidying up the garden, and simply sitting down for a chat over a cup of tea. In these seemingly small acts, she was investing her "mina" for the kingdom, opening doors to genuine conversation about hope and faith. Her willingness to serve not only alleviated a burden but also sparked a connection that led her neighbor to inquire about the source of her boundless compassion.
 
We also find a powerful example in the life of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Wesley was not a man of grandiose gestures but of humble, persistent service. Riding through rugged terrain on horseback, he visited the sick, the poor, and the imprisoned. His journeys were not measured by the distances traveled, but by the depth of compassion he poured into every encounter. Wesley believed that every act, no matter how modest, was a way to manifest the love of Christ. His life reminds us that faithful stewardship is an everyday calling, a series of small yet significant investments in the lives of others.
 
The Greek term mina carries with it the sense of weight and worth. In the parable, it is a symbol for the gifts and opportunities that God has so graciously given us. These are not to be hoarded or wasted but multiplied through acts of loving service. God's expectation is not that we all become extraordinary heroes in the public eye, but that we, like the servants in the parable, do what we can with what we have been given. Whether it is the kindness in a smile, the warmth of a shared meal, or the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of experience, every act of compassion can open doors to the gospel.
 
As we reflect on this story, I invite you, especially our seniors, to consider how you might finish well. What practical step can you take this week to invest your "mina" for God's kingdom? Perhaps it is a commitment to reach out to a neighbor, to mentor a younger friend, or to share your personal journey of faith with someone who needs hope. I encourage you to choose one specific goal for relational evangelism. Then, share this goal with a trusted friend or mentor who can encourage you and hold you accountable. Remember, it is through these humble acts of love that we leave a legacy of faith, echoing the compassionate footsteps of those who have gone before us.
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In closing, let us embrace the call to be faithful stewards. May we see every resource in our lives as an opportunity to serve and to share the transformative love of Christ. And as we go forth, may our lives, like Mrs. Thompson's and John Wesley's, be a testimony to the enduring power of compassion-a beacon of hope that points others to the grace of our Savior.
 
Lord, we ask that You empower us with the same spirit of faithful stewardship demonstrated by John Wesley and the early Methodists. Help us to see the opportunities in every act of compassion and every conversation where Your love can shine through. As we go forth, may we commit to one practical goal for relational evangelism, serving others with the same passion and dedication that You have shown to us.
 
Guide our steps, fill our hearts with courage, and remind us that even the smallest act of kindness can open doors to the gospel. Strengthen us, Lord, so that we may finish well, investing our lives in the work of Your kingdom and leaving a legacy of love, hope, and grace.