“So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’” – Luke 19:13
I’m a New Yorker. Please don’t hold that against me. But I was born in Jackson Heights in the borough of Queens, lived upstate for a time, and spent most of my life on Long Island. When I write, “A Mina Reason to Vote,” I’m not speaking in Brooklynese as in “A minor reason to vote,” quite the contrary. The title is an allusion to Jesus’ Parable of the Minas where Jesus teaches we will be held accountable for how we use our God-given resources. That is no minor teaching.
Jesus’ parable of the Minas is found in the Gospel of Luke. He gave a similar Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. I mention that because the context in Matthew is important. The Parable of the Talents was a parable given by Jesus to emphasize the importance of investing our God-given resources until He returns. Given the fulfillment of prophetic flags in our nation and the world in recent years this is a truly relevant parable, one we should seriously take to heart. [1]
We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:17-21). I do not deny that. I rejoice in that and the blessed hope that comes with it. But that does not absolve us from being involved in earthly citizenship and its responsibilities. In fact, as citizens of heaven, called to be holy, we should be setting the standard for living in all aspects of life, including politics. That is how we are salt and light, how we infiltrate and influence for the glory of God (Matthew 5:13-16).
Life is not accidental but God-incidental. Christians hold a very prominent position in the destiny of our nation. That is a tremendous blessing. But remember what Jesus said in the Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servant. At the end of that parable Jesus concludes, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much is required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48). Christian, it is not by accident that you are living in the United States of America, the undeniably most powerful and influential nation on earth, and arguably in all of human history. Life is not an accident of happenstance. Life is a succession of God-incidents, of Divine appointments God has scheduled for us. If Esther was in Persia “for such a time as this” to save her people, how much more are we in our nation? (Esther 4:14). God has a plan, and we are part of it.
Elected by God to serve. We are elected by God to certain God-ordained services. God chose Moses to deliver His people (Psalm 106:23). God chose Israel to make Him known to the nations (Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6-7; 18:5; Psalm 135:4). David and his son Solomon were chosen by God to be king (1 Kings 8:16; 1 Chronicles 28:5; 2 Chronicles 6:6). The prophet Jeremiah was chosen in the womb to serve the Lord (Jeremiah 1:5). Jesus was chosen to be Messiah and Savior of the world (Isaiah 42:1; Luke 9:35; 1 Peter 1:20). Jesus chose His disciples to serve and represent Him to the world (John 6:70; 15:6). Jesus chose Paul to be an Apostle and to write 14 of the timeless twenty-seven New Testament epistles as well as spread the gospel (Acts 9:15). God elects us to serve Him in some capacity in this world.
We are His workmanship to do good work and glorify Him. Those who receive Jesus as Savior (Ephesians 2:1-9) are described as His “workmanship.” “Workmanship” (Greek poema) means literally poetry. We are a poem from God to this world to make Him known. Poems can be hard to understand, but the Spirit, the Great Poet, will make the message known through us the poetry of God. As we are poetically influential in this world the message we are is proclaimed to the glory of God. The words and stanzas of our poem are in the form of our “good works” (Ephesians 2:10).
“Good works” are how we do in this dark fallen world to bring glory to God. We are to be godly examples (Greek typos) to the world in all that we do. God’s people have always been called to be examples (1 Corinthians 10:6-11). Temptations and trials in life are common throughout history. How we deal with these temptations and trials demonstrates Gods’ faithfulness, and how we “bear it” in the power of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).
Political representatives to the glory of God? The Bible describes us as ambassadors (Greek presbeuo), or literally a representative which is interestingly a political term. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Paul referred to himself as an “ambassador.” When the government of Rome arrested and jailed Paul, in that jail cell Paul described himself as “an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:20). We are to be “ambassadors” of Christ in every facet of life, including politics, even in prison.
The Old Testament speaks of the “faithful ambassador” (Hebrew siyr) which is a type of messenger or envoy (Proverbs 13:17). Jeremiah refers to himself as such an “ambassador” (Jeremiah 49:14). Certainly, Daniel and his three friends are examples of representing God loud and clear in the political realm (cf. Daniel). When God wrote terrifyingly on the wall for king Belshazzar, Daniel was there to interpret the message of judgment (Daniel 5). There are many examples of God’s people having a political voice in scripture. Christian, we should consider what God would say through us and through politics to this lost world.
Letters from God. The Christians in Corinth had a lot of problems and were far from perfect, but like them it should be said of us, “clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart” (2 Cor. 3:3). What do the unsaved of the world read in you? Our lives should be a published letter from God.
How are we doing? So how are we doing? Well, if voting in our nation is any measure of our Christian representative footprint, we’re not doing so good. Of the estimated 100 million Christians in this nation, it is believed that between 35-40 million DID NOT VOTE in the 2020 election. That is a grade of around 60-65 %, barely passing to failing. Those Christians who did not vote could have made a tremendous difference in that election as well as in the direction of our nation. Just think, if the outcome in the 2020 election was different, it’s likely the economy, border security, abortion on demand, the gender confusions, war in Ukraine and the Middle East and general direction of our nation would have been much different. Christian, we need to make the Lord’s presence known. Christian, we need to represent. We need to be God’s ambassadors. We need to be God’s poetry to this world through our good works.
Non-voting Christians. Unfortunately, there are signs many Christians will not learn from 2020 and follow in the footsteps of the non-voters in their ranks. Recent studies indicate still millions of Christians will not vote in this upcoming election.[2] I don’t want to beleaguer the point, but in our Federal Republic our democratic right to vote is an incredible privilege, and yes, a blessing. But one recent study claims thirty-two million Christians will not vote. [3] Another claims 41 million will abstain from their voting responsibilities. [4] Another report states such abstaining from voting by Christians most effects President Trump, the more conservative of the two presidential candidates.[5] Just think of how our nation could be impacted if just half of those non-voters voted.
What about the cheating? Some don’t vote due to perceived election irregularities or “cheating.” The 2020 presidential election raised questions about numerous irregularities. This causes us to question the fairness and accuracy of the election. There were many who claimed the election was stolen. But that is not a sufficient reason to stay home and refrain from voting. In fact, it may be a good reason to get out and vote all the more. American podcaster and former professor Breit Weinstein, in an interview with Joe Rogan recently spoke of the “cheat factor.” The Cheat Factor is the possibility of overcoming irregularities or cheating by turning out the vote in a landslide. [6] There is only so much cheating that can be done. What does this mean for us? The Bible speaks of when an enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the LORD will raise up a standard against them (Isiah 59:19). Maybe we need to listen to the Spirit and get out and VOTE! The Cheat Factor can be overcome and rendered irrelevant if Christians get out and vote in unprecedented numbers. Let’s ace the upcoming election test with a 90% + voter turnout among eligible Christian voters.
A mina reason to vote. In Luke 19:11-27 Jesus provides a parable relevant to our discussion. Let’s consider what He teaches.
11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
Notice the context of Jesus’ parable. He was speaking to those who “thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.” There are those today who remain uninvolved in voting or any other effort to represent God, serve as an ambassador, or present a message in life to those in this world. What Jesus is about to say is relevant to those who use His impending return, the kingdom’s arrival as an excuse for Laodicean lethargy and detachment.
12 Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’
A “nobleman” (Greek anthropos) refers to a prominent person in the community. This could refer to someone in local government or at least in a prestigious position. A “mina” is about three months wages. Jesus speaks in tangible economical terms. Jesus uses the word “business” (Greek pragmateuomai) which means to busy oneself, to conduct business, a banker or trader. We get the word pragmatic or practical from this Greek term. For those who like to over spiritualize scripture to justify non-involvement in the things of this life, these words of Jesus’ parable reject such thinking. We need to be practically involved in our world.
14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
Jesus speaks of “citizens” (Greek polites) which refers to a townsman, a citizen, an inhabitant of a country. Jesus is choosing political terms and describing a setting that is political. These citizens “hated” (Greek miseo) or detested, pursue with hatred, hated the nobleman. Notice the “nobleman” is “hated.” In the political realm those in prominence are often hated simply by virtue of their position. We should guard against such behaviors and feelings. Don’t hate politicians or candidates simply because they are running for office. Don’t hate politicians simply because they are politicians.
15 “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Similarly, we will all appear before God for judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Unbelievers are judged at death and their sentences carried out at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Christians will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ where he will assess the way we lived our Christian lives and then reward us accordingly (2 Corinthians 5:9-11). The message of Jesus here is that we will all give an accounting of how we used the resources God gave to us.
16 Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’
The servant who invested well and presented his master a good return was told, “Well done, good servant.” Every Christian should want such an assessment of their Savior for themselves. What earned the good response was that they “were faithful in a very little.” It’s not how much we are given so much as it is that we do our best with what we have been given. Remember that. We can always look at others and think we have more or less in relation to them, but it is how we use what we are given that is most important.
And the reward? “Have authority over ten cities.” “Cities”? Yes, cities speak of governing. “Authority” (Greek exousia) also speaks of political rule, magistrate, jurisdiction, governing authority, executive authority. It’s interesting that Jesus is speaking in such political terms. He wouldn’t have used such an illustration unless He approved of such an involvement by those he was teaching. Do You see that?
18 And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ 19 Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’
Notice the reward is in proportion to the effort and investment made. Jesus will reward us according to our effort and the way we invest.
20 “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. 21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
This last servant hid away “in a handkerchief” what his master had given him to invest. He was afraid to invest his resources because he assessed the master as “an austere man.” “Austere” (Greek austeros) means rough, severe, rigid, harsh. The idea is someone who wants to get blood out of a stone. What a sad appraisal of the master by this servant. But don’t we often have a similar view of God? We see God as so rigid and rough that He will lay the hammer down on us if we make a wrong move. That is a graceless view of God. When we view God this way we fail to factor in His love, grace, mercy, and understanding. It would be better to take a step of faith and at least attempt to use the giftings and resources God has given us, than to be like this tentative timid fearful faithless servant and do nothing.
24 “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ 25 (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) 26 ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 27 But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ”
He gives and takes away. God has given us a great blessing by virtue of our citizenship and life in America. That this great nation has digressed into darkness is not something to excuse our complacency and non-involvement, but it is something that should shame us into active service. Christian inactivity has opened the door to the devil in our nation. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church, but if His church never storms those gates, they will remain in place, and that to our shame. We are clearly headed in the wrong direction, and we are at risk of losing the blessings of this great Federal Republic. Let’s make sure, from this point on, that if such a demise does occur, it won’t be because we weren’t trying to avert it in the Lord. God is able. “Who knows if He will turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him” (Joel 2:14). Oh, Lord, let it be so!
The message here from Jesus is better to invest and attempt to do with what God gives than to fearfully and faithlessly isolate and refrain from investment. That is a message we need to heed today, especially in our politically charged world. The only way we learn, and grow is by attempting to do. How did we learn to walk? First we turned over from being on our back, we got up on our knees, we crawled, we stood up, we stumbled, then we took a few steps and before we knew it, we were up and running. It’s like that in anything. That is the natural developmental progression God has created. We’re stumbling as a nation, but maybe by God’s grace and power we can get up and running again.
But isn’t politics messy, sinful, corrupt, unjust? Yes, that is a part of politics and voting. But its like that in everything in this fallen world. Not every meal is a good one, but we still eat don’t we? Not all police are good, but we still rely on them. We might even become a police officer to become that “good one” in the ranks. Not every teacher is good, but we still go to school and perhaps we will seek to become a teacher to ensure there is a good one for students. In all things we pick and choose. In all professions we choose and even are inspired to fulfill our callings by God. Life is messy and sinful. We deal with imperfections and shortcomings all the time. But maybe instead of pointing out the sliver in someone else’s eye, we need to remove the board in our own (Matthew 7:1-5). Rather than hibernate we need to get out and dominate.
Perfectly blunt. If we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit we will find that political discussions can serve as bridges to more eternal conversations. Jesus did not shy away from political discussions. One day some Pharisees came and warned Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.” Jesus’ response was, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected’” (Luke 13:31-32). That sounds a little like something the cherry blond haired candidate running for president in 2024 would say. Would you vote for Jesus? Or would His words be too harsh for your taste. Jesus didn’t hesitate to speak with political boldness, even bluntness. Then He seized the opportunity to allude to the perfection His resurrection would bring. If ever there was a segment of society that needs to hear of the healing, redemptive, and restorative power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it’s government and politics. And its okay to be perfectly blunt!
To restrain evil. Where there are fallen people, people lost in sin, living in darkness, consumed with self and pride, there is going to be corruption. You can count on that. And that is why, in the end, politics is not the answer to our problems, Jesus is. But that doesn’t mean we are to give up in the political realm! No, the political realm is just one more area where, “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work,” but also where, “He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thess. 2:6-7). That Restrainer is the Holy Spirit working in and through the Church. We, the Bride of Christ, the Church, are called and commissioned to retrain lawlessness and evil wherever it is found, even in the dirty filthy dark and despicable area of politics.
The word “restraining” (Greek ketecho) means to hold down, to hold back, to restrain, to hinder. It does not mean necessarily to stop. We probably won’t be able to restrain all the evil of this world until Jesus rules in His Millennial Kingdom. But we can restrain some evil. For instance, when we are choosing between two candidates, we vote for the candidate who is the lesser of two evils. Admittedly, sometimes we must hold our nose to vote when neither candidate is “godly” or even righteous. But it would be better to vote for the lesser of two evils than to not vote at all. When you don’t vote, you are giving free reign to darkness.
The Parable of the Minas is a call to invest in this world what God has given us. Our investment will hopefully yield a heavenly reward. Our investment will hopefully bring a harvest of goodness, righteousness, and peace. Hopefully that reward will include being used by God to lead others into His kingdom which is an everlasting kingdom.
I’m only one person, what can I do? If that’s what you’re thinking, I would answer, “You can do plenty!” Billy Graham once said, “In a world that might say one vote doesn’t matter . . ., it does matter because each person is of infinite worth and value to God. . . Your vote is a declaration of importance as a person and a citizen.” Your vote is a way for you to stand up and be counted.
The words, “One with God is a majority” have been attributed to various great men, and these words are true. The truth of these words is born out in Scripture. God works through the weak and the minority so that when the work is done and the victory won, He may get all the glory. Jesus came and modeled ministry for us. He started with twelve disciples whom He sent out as apostles. At one point Jesus was forsaken by all. And yet this was God’s plan to reach a lost world. If God is for us, it doesn’t’ matter who is against us (Rom. 8:31-32). God is looking for those whose hearts are loyal to Him. When He finds them, He shows Himself strong on their behalf (2 Chron. 16:9a).
It’s important for Christians to vote. I read an interesting meme on social media recently. An unknown writer wrote, “If Christians are not engaged with politics, decisions will be made by people who think God is irrelevant and the truth of God’s word does not exist.” That’s a solid point and good incentive for Christians to get involved and vote.
How should I vote? Here are a few suggestions to guide us in who to vote for. Keep in mind there are not perfect candidates. We should vote for the candidate that checks the most boxes in terms of:
- I will vote for the most pro-life candidate because God hates the shedding of innocent blood, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made – Proverbs 6:17; Psalm 139:14.
- I will vote for the most pro-Israel candidate because God blesses those who blesses Israel and curses those who do not – Genesis 12:3.
- I will vote for the most pro-debt-reduction candidate because the borrower is servant of the lender – Proverbs 22:7.
- I will vote for the most pro-work candidate because God says everyone must be willing to work in order to eat – 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
- I will vote for the most pro-marriage candidate because God created marriage as foundational to society – Genesis 2:24.
- I will vote for the candidate who most closely believes the role of government is to reward the good and punish evil – Romans 13.
- I will vote for the candidate that most closely aligns with these areas and to the word of God – 2 timothy 3:16-17.
A voting tsunami. Imagine what would happen if a tsunami of courageous informed and active Christian saints prayed and participated by voting in our nation’s elections. “We do not worship government. We worship God” candidate President Trump has said.[7] President Trump has promised to fight even harder for Christians in a second term.[8] Vice President Kamala Harass on the other hand when someone shouted “Jesus is Lord” at one of her rallies, responded, “You’re at the wrong rally.”[9] Another article describes Harris’ “Kamala’s War on Christians.” [10] There is a very clear choice to be made in this upcoming presidential election.
A mina reason to vote. Christian will you vote? God has blessed us with an opportunity to be heard by our vote. Will you leave your mina-vote uncast and buried in the ground? Or will you invest your mina-vote in a candidate running for office? Just as indecision is decision when it comes to the gospel, no vote is a vote for the opposition. When you don’t vote, you leave a space for an opponent’s vote to fill. We must step up and fill in the ranks of voters until victory is counted. Your mina-vote is not a minor opportunity to be used by God as an ambassador for the Lord, it is a tremendous opportunity to be used by the Lord and bring Him glory. So, as long as we are here and Jesus has yet to return, we need to “Do business” until He comes. In all circumstances of life, including politics, we need to represent the Lord. We can do that by simply casting a vote, or we can do it through something more. We do that because it is our calling and the way of opportunity to shine His light and glorify Him. That is no minor calling. That is a mina calling. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
[1] For a listing of such prophetic flags see for example Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21; 1 and 2 Thessalonians; 1 Timothy 4; 2 Timothy 3.
[2] christians: Millions of Christians are not planning to vote in the U.S. elections; whom will that impact more, Harris or Trump? – The Economic Times
[3] https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2024/10/14/study-says-32-million-christians-likely-not-to-vote/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POYgCucPqPU
[5] Millions of Christians Not Voting Becomes ‘Five-Alarm Fire’ for Trump – Newsweek
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pf0NRbTxq0
[7] https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/333252-trump-in-america-we-dont-worship-government-we-worship-god/
[8] https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/2870219/trump-promises-to-fight-even-harder-for-christians-during-second-term-in-fiery-nrb-speech/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Pmax_USA_Magazine_21-June-Intent-Audience-Signals&gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5MmplomqiQMVy2ZHAR1ARSncEAAYASAAEgKLovD_BwE
[9] https://cbn.com/news/politics/students-purportedly-center-kamala-harris-jesus-lord-controversy-speak-out-we-did
[10] https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/3108275/kamalas-war-on-christians/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Pmax_USA_Magazine_21-June-Intent-Audience-Signals&gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgNa4vYqqiQMVxEf_AR0oFDs9EAAYASAAEgJ42vD_BwE