Jesus tells one of the most gripping and attention getting stories in the whole Bible in Luke 19:11-27. If you’re not familiar with it, you should take a second and read it. (Really. Stop & read it.)

Here’s why this passage always grabs ahold of me. In this short story, Jesus frames our lives. He puts our lives into context. We’re living in that tiny little gap between verses 14 & 15. The King has gone away for a while. Then he will return. We’re all characters in this story. Which character we are is determined by our faithfulness (or lack thereof) to the King during his absence:

• Rebellious opposition
• Neutral “servants” who aren’t faithful, but who don’t overtly oppose the King
• Faithful servants who do the King’s business and make it their own

This story also helps us understand some things about an important word in the Bible – faith. First, faith means believing. The faithful servants obviously believed in the King and believed he was returning. Second, they were faithful. They lived consistent with their beliefs. The King had their full allegiance. These two meanings of the word cannot be separated. It’s why James 2:26 says that “faith without works is dead” and cannot save us. Even demons believe. Believing is only faith when it shapes our lives.

Regarding anything “Christian”, this is where we must start. This is foundational. Faith + Faithfulness = Faithful ones.