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Sometimes the messages we receive seem upside down.

As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said, 'A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, "Do business with these until I come back." But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, "We do not want this man to rule over us." When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, "Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds." He said to him, "Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities." Then the second came, saying, "Lord, your pound has made five pounds." He said to him, "And you, rule over five cities." Then the other came, saying, "Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow." He said to him, "I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest." He said to the bystanders, "Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds." (And they said to him, "Lord, he has ten pounds!") "I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them-bring them here and slaughter them in my presence."' - Luke 19:11-27

Today's Gospel reading contains one of the most controversial parables of Jesus.  It is a story of the work done by slaves entrusted with money.

The slaves who had traded and made money were rewarded while the one who did nothing with the money was punished.  

If that is all the story was about, we could take it to represent God granting us gifts that we need to put to use in this world.  But there is a troubling twist here. 

The slave who did nothing with the money accused his master of being dishonest.  He wasn't going to go along with the plan, so he rebelled.  That makes a difference.  

Jesus told this story as they were headed to Jerusalem where he knew he would be killed.  So, Luke wants us to know this is the last parable he will leave for them, and that may be why it paints a picture of a harsh and ruthless world.  

But is the story supposed to be about God?

Maybe not, since the slave stands up to the master and rejects him.  It could be this slave represents the opposition to the unjust and corrupt world, and that would make sense.

Jesus, in standing up to the world was going to be punished, and so it was for any and all who oppose the corruption of this world.

This may not be about making money, or using one's gifts at all.  It may be about the consequences of refusing to play the game.

That makes the parable a bit more interesting, and it gives us something to think about as we venture out into the world.

Where will I take a stand today?  And what will it gain me when I do?

More to come...