The economy of the kingdom

Jesus described the kingdom of God with many parables, using a variety of pictures to illustrate different aspects. One parable that illustrates the responsibility that we have is the parable of the talents in Matthew 25; a similar parable is found in Luke 19.

The parable tells of a man about to go on a journey who entrusted his possessions to his servants. In the parable in Matthew 25, he entrusted differing amounts to each servant, based on his ability. In the parable in Luke 19, he entrusted the same amount. Jesus told this parable in differing ways at different times, perhaps to emphasize the most important point. In Luke 19, the man told his servants, "Do business with this until I come back." This is not stated in Matthew 25, but the servants in that story also did business with what their master had entrusted to them. But in both stories, one servant hid what his master had given him. When the man returned, he found that his servants had earned more for him by what they had done with his money. But the one who had hid the money, had gained nothing; he had kept it safe, and gave back what had been given to him. The man was angry with the slave who had done nothing; the slave sought to justify his inaction saying that he was afraid to use it, thinking he may lose it in business. But the man replied that at the least he should have taken it to the bankers; they would at least give interest.

This parable of Jesus speaks to the issue of our responsibility in the kingdom of God, but one thing must be determined. What is it that the parable is illustrating by money? What is the economy of the kingdom?

Jesus spoke of money in another place in Luke.

"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" Luke 16:9-12

Money is not the true riches; it is not money that is the issue in the parable of the talents.

Neither is it something that we possess; it is not our abilities, or talents, or gifts. We cannot do business with these things.

The economy of the kingdom is based on life. The life that is in Jesus Christ is the true riches.

We have been entrusted with this life, His life within us. With this life we do business. We can take this life into the world; we will bring back more than we brought out. We can also bury this life; we can do nothing, take no risks. The life endures, but it does not multiply hidden away.

He has given us His life; He expects much in return.