In Matthew's version of the parable of the sums of money, the master lavishly praises his servants and invites them to share in his joy (Mt 25:21, 23). However in Luke's account, the master is demanding, severe, and unwilling to act with patience toward his servants, much as we would act toward an investment broker to whom we had entrusted thousands of dollars.

One message of this passage is that God expects performance from us. He invested the precious gift of life within us. Then He invested spiritual gifts and natural talents in us. Though He created us out of sheer love, He also expects a lasting return from us (Jn 15:16) and commands us to "invest" our lives in His service until He returns (Lk 19:13). In fact, the context of this parable in Luke's Gospel is Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Lk 19:28): it's the time of visitation (Lk 19:44) and settling accounts (Lk 19:15; 20:10).

Investing our "all" is not an optional extra in the Christian life. It's a matter of life and death. The servant who did not invest his life for Jesus was judged as "worthless" (Lk 19:22) and was cast out into hell (Mt 25:30).

Are you holding back on giving anything in your life to Jesus? Jesus is "coming soon" (Rv 22:20). The day of visitation may be sooner than you think. "Why delay, then?" (Acts 22:16) Give your all to Jesus. Lay down your life in total service to Him now.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 3, 2009

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.