into the bank, and I at my coming should have
required it with interest? 24 And he said unto them that stood by,
Take away from him the pound, and give it unto him that hath the
ten pounds. 25 And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.
26 I say unto you, that unto every one that hath shall be given;
but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken
away from him. 27 But these mine enemies, that would not that I
should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

28 And when he had thus spoken, he went on before, going up to
Jerusalem.

Jesus felt impelled to deliver the parable of the Pounds because of the
mistaken belief among the crowds that on his arrival in Jerusalem he would
establish his Kingdom. He well knew that he was to be rejected and
crucified, and that a long interval of time would elapse before his return
in triumph. In this parable he definitely predicted this rejection and
warned the unbelieving Jews of their peril. On the other hand he
encouraged his disciples to wait with patience for his return, to watch
for his coming, and to be engaged diligently in his service, promising to
the faithful, abundant and gracious rewards.

This parable of the Pounds should be studied in connection with the
parables of the Unprofitable Servant, ch. 17:7-10, the Laborers in the
Vineyard, Matt. 20:1-16, and the Talents, Matt. 25:14-30. The first
teaches that no reward can be claimed as a matter of merit; in view of all
that the Master has given us, even pouring out his life for our
redemption, we never by the most faithful service could begin to pay the
debt we owe; even the most loyal devotion would be no ground for claiming
a reward.

The parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard likewise warns us against a
mercenary spirit in which we might serve the Master for the sake of a
reward, bargaining for so much labor for so much pay, jealous of those who
may receive as much as ourselves, though deserving, as we believe, less.

However, while no reward may be deserved, and while the hope of reward
should not be the motive for service, the Master has assured us that, in
absolute grace and with perfect justice, rewards will be granted to those
who are found faithful when he returns. The parable of the Talents teaches
that while opportunities and abilities for the service of Christ may
differ, those who are equally faithful will receive equal rewards.