Luke 19:16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
Jonathan Edwards was a wonderful and precious gift of the ascended Christ to His Body, the Church (Eph 4:7-14). Through his writings, he remains so.
Some years ago, John Piper recorded a section of Jonathan Edwards’ sermon preached in December, 1740, on Romans 2:10. Dr. Piper regards this section as the best thing he has ever read on the issue of varying degrees of reward, glory, happiness and holiness in heaven. I would agree.
I believe Jonathan Edwards provides satisfying answers to questions such as “how is it possible that there are varying rewards in heaven and yet it also be the place of supreme happiness for the saints?”
It is vintage Edwards. He has obviously given this a great deal of thought as he has pondered and meditated deeply on the biblical texts.
It comes from page 902 of the second volume of The Works of Jonathan Edwards. It last about 7 minutes and can be found here.
Just a few thoughts about the passage in Luke. “He proceeded to tell a parable, because He was approaching Jerusalem and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to be brought to light and shown forth immediately. He therefore said…” (verses 11, 12) The primary purpose for this parable that Christ gives was not to teach about rewards to but to curtail the immediate expectation of the Kingdom of God being set up in Israel. One way to do this was the premise of investment. To take one mina and invest it with a return of 10 minas would not be something done quickly but require a significant amount of time. Hence the return of Christ and the setting up of the Kingdom of god was yet a long ways off. Does it teach us about rewards? Possibly, but it seems more about understanding and attitude in life than about something to be gained. To teach rewards as the primary meaning of the parable is to go contrary to the stated purpose.
“Calling ten of his [own] bond servants, he gave them ten minas.” (verse 13) What happen to the other seven? What were their returns and rewards or punishments? If rewards were the primary purpose of this parable then how these other servants faired would surely be of some importance. If rewards are the issue then where is the cut off for a wicked servant? Is it a return of 3, or 2 or 1? If return is indicative of effort then I don’t see much difference between none and one. “And said to them, ‘Buy and sell with these while I go and then return’” (verse 13) Again, buying and selling are ever day activities that go on in the life of an individual who is seeking to increase his investments. Here again the idea is of a significant amount of time passing before the return of Christ to set up the Kingdom of God in this world.
The two servants that did invest wisely seem to have possessed the upmost confidence and love in their King and were not in any expectation of a reward. Why? Because Jesus said of the servant that does all that is expected of him, “Even so on your part, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, We are unworthy servants [possessing no merit, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have [merely] done what was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:01) But the wicked servant certainly had a fearful and paralyzing understanding of his King and that resulted in an unproductive life and undesirable end. Though the Lord tells us in the Scriptures there will be rewards it is never to be our ambition or motive for how we live in this life.
Notice in this parable that each servant was given the exact same thing (1 mina) but the investment results were different and rewards commiserate with those results. But in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) the amounts given were different with different results but the rewards were the same. Ever child of God is given the exact same thing, Christ and his life dwelling in our heart through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This is God’s investment in us and the expectation of return from us is the fruit of the spirit, “When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.” (John 15:8). The more we manifest the life of Christ in our lives the greater is God’s return on his investment. But if we live for self then we leave the life of Christ buried in these bodies of dust. To me the parable of the talents is about the abilities, skills and opportunities for serving the Lord which is determined by our Sovereign God according to his divine purposes. The Lord purposes some for greater things (5 talents) and some for lesser (2 talents). But faithfulness to whatever God purposes for us in this life is the basis of rewards and that is equal to everyone. I think the sum of it all is this. If a true believer is content with and faithful to what God has purposed for their life here in this world then surely they will carry that contentment to heaven and be fully satisfied with was God has purposed for them in eternity. May our hearts be focused on Christ and not the expectation of rewards. For Christ is truly our EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD
Hi Loddie,
I would agree with much of what you say. In defense of Edwards, he was not attempting to make the point that eternal reward is the main point of the parable, though I do think it is a legitimate point he makes. Christ is all the reward we would ever hope for, and yet it seems clear, God has chosen to reward us for even the works we do… Jesus said, “For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.” Mark 9:41
Tis grace upon grace indeed!
Did you listen to Piper’s reading of Edwards, which was my main point/reason in posting?
John, I did listen to Piper’s reading of Edwards. What he had to say about rewards seemed right on to me. But in all honesty rewards are never, ever the reason why I live for Christ. The thoughts of rewards occupy no space whatsoever in my mind. If there were no rewards it would not change a thing in the way I live. Can the knowledge of heavenly rewards be a motivation to press through difficult times in our lives? Possibly, but I would think a mind stayed on the Lord would be much more encouraging. I certainly am not in disagreement with any who take thought of heavenly rewards because it is a subject matter of the Scriptures. What I am uneasy with is using rewards as a motivation or inducement to obey the Lord. Having raised three children I much preferred their obedience from a love of their father than from the hope of getting a reward for obeying. But that is just me.
I understand you Loddie, except the Lord does indeed issue rewards as a motivation for obedience.
It is something commended as a good example to follow, as in the case of Moses: Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
and commanded – we must believe God rewards those who seek Him
Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
and something promised:
Heb 10:35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
Rev 22: 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.”