EARLY FIRE 🔥 WINE November 7, 2025 TOPIC: PARABLES (38) – By B. B. John The Parable of the Minas (or Pounds) in Luke 19:11- 27 was told by Jesus to correct the expectation that the Kingdom of God would appear immediately as He approached Jerusalem. Instead, He pointed to the coming church age and His second coming. It is the story of a nobleman who leaves to receive a kingdom. Before leaving, he gives ten of his servants one mina each and instructs them to trade with it while he is away, saying: “... Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13, KJV) Meanwhile, his citizens reject his rule and send a message after him, saying they do not want him to reign over them. When the king returns, he rewards the servants who invested wisely: the one who gained ten minas is given authority over ten cities, and the one who gained five is given authority over five cities. But the fearful servant who hid his mina is condemned for laziness, and his mina is taken and given to the most productive servant. Thus, Jesus teaches that those who use what they have will gain more, but those who do not will lose even what they have: “To everyone who has, more will be given; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” Finally, the king orders that his enemies, those who rejected his rule, be brought before him and executed. INTERPRETATION 1. The nobleman represents Jesus, who goes to receive His kingdom (through His death, resurrection, and ascension) and will return later to reign and judge. 2. The servants represent believers, who are entrusted with gifts and resources (the minas) to use faithfully during the time between Jesus’ first and second comings. 3. The minas symbolize gifts, abilities, potentials, resources, and responsibilities given by God. BIG LESSONS 1. The parable teaches faithful stewardship of our God-given talents and gifts. What God gives must be invested and multiplied for His glory. God expects productivity, not passivity, from each of us. We are to use our gifts to advance His Kingdom while awaiting Christ’s return - not hide them out of fear. 2. Faithfulness brings reward, but neglect brings loss. Being faithful in little things leads to promotion to greater things. Fear and excuses are unacceptable reasons for neglecting our responsibilities. 3. There will be rewards and accountability when Christ returns. The faithful will be rewarded, but the unfaithful and those who reject Jesus will face severe judgment. Rejecting Christ’s rule leads to eternal loss and condemnation. FINAL CALL Jesus will return soon. Be ready! Be faithful! MAIN TEXT Luke 19:11 - 27 MEMORY VERSE “... Occupy till I come.” - Luke 19:13 (KJV) With today’s lesson, we have come to the end of this series on the Parables of Jesus. God bless you for following through. Happy weekend. May you ride in happiness & prosperity in Jesus’ name. Amen. EARLY FIRE 🔥 WINE A Publication of Jesus Flaminglamps Ministries