By Rob Skinner, May 1, 2024
The First “Multiplying” Disciple
Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure by telling this story in Luke 19:12-17
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. ‘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.’ Luke 19:12-17
Jesus revealed that he would go away and return as King. There would be little if any supervision. His servants would be left only with one mina, worth about three months wages, and the knowledge that their master would someday return. Out of the ten who received a mina, one servant came back with ten more minas than when he started. He multiplied the gift ten times or “multiplying.” This man is the original “multiplying” disciple.
Reading this passage recently, I thought to myself, that’s the kind of disciple I want to be. I want to be able to multiply his gifts ten times or more. Whatever he gives me, I want to make more of it.
I would guess that if you are reading or listening to this, you feel the same way. So, what does it take to be a multiplying disciple? That’s the subject of this series.