While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' (Luke 19:11-13)

The people thought the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. Because of this expectation, Luke explains, Jesus offers a parable. The story is a version of the more often told parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).

The people expected the kingdom of God to arrive in the form of a great king who would restore Israel to glory. Jesus tells of a king who is appointed, is hated, and does not remain to reign.

In the midst of this coming and going the king gives three servants money they are to put to work while he is gone. (The Greek for "put to work" is pragmateuomai which is to engage in practical work of any sort.)

As in Matthew, two of the servants do their pragmatic best and are rewarded. The third buries the money out of fear.

We have each been given resources: physical, intellectual, financial, and spiritual. Our task is not to hoard or hide these resources until the king returns. Rather, in the absence of the king we are to put our resources to work.

It is precisely in our most pragmatic choices that we advance the kingdom of God... or not.

It may even be that through our pragmatic choices we can experience the kingdom of God today. 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.' (Luke 19:26)