Luke 19:11-27 is the issue of being diligent, having a diligent heart. It looks similar, but it's actually very different to the other one. In the Parable of the Talents, the faithful servants get positions of honour of glory in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; but unfaithful servants are excluded – so, equal faithfulness, equal rewards. In this parable, the faithful servants are given positions of honour, glory, and authority in the kingdom; unfaithful servants don't get responsibility and authority – so, greater diligence, greater rewards
Luke 19:11-27 – “They heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. So He said: a certain nobleman went to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and return. He called 10 of his servants and delivered them 10 minas and said occupy, do business until I come. He called the 10 servants and gave them the minas.
But his citizens hated him. They sent a delegation after him, saying: we will not have this man to reign over us. And when he returned, after having received the kingdom, he commanded the servants he'd given the money, called them that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Then came the first one saying: Master, your mina has earned 10 minas. He said: well done, good servant, because you were faithful over very little have authority over 10 cities. The second came, saying: Master, your mina has earned five minas. He said: likewise, you also be over five cities. Then the other came, saying: Master, here is your mina, I put it away in a handkerchief. I feared you, because you're an austere man. You collect what you didn't deposit, you reap what you didn't sow.
And he said to him: out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew I was an austere man, collecting what I didn't deposit, reaping where I didn't sow. Why didn't you put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might've collected it with interest? And he said to those that stood by: take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has 10.
And he said: I say to you, everyone who has, will be given; and from him who does not have, what he has will be taken away”.
Nobleman means a person of high rank - it refers to Jesus Christ. Jesus has gone into heaven and received a kingdom. One day He will return - literally, physically, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Then He will call all the servants to account - and we're called to account at the Bema Seat of Christ. Then, if we qualify, to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; and then empowered to rule with Him in the coming kingdom.
Notice there, 10 servants, and 10 minas. Ten is usually the number meaning all the servants, all the gifts. It's a reference to the fact that this is encompassing all the body of Christ, over all eras and ages.
“Do business until I come” - everyone is commanded to be productive for Jesus. Don't just hide your gift, or be a quiet Christian - be proactive in serving.
“And how much each had gained by trading” - that word ‘trading’ means literally: to be engaged constantly in exchange and purchase. It means our lifestyle - taking what God has given us, and using it as best we can, to advance His kingdom.
Now the commendation, and the reward… In Luke 19:17, well done, good servant, you were faithful over very little, have authority over 10. Here we have the same words – “well done, good, faithful”, but now He introduces “authority over cities”. Then the one who came second, “well done, good servant”. He's commending them for being diligent.
One earned 10, so He said: you've been faithful over very little, you've laboured, you've been very productive, so now you have authority over 10 cities. That's like a whole region! He's saying that in the coming kingdom, there will be different layers and levels of authority, and God wants us to qualify for that by our faithfulness and diligence now.
With the second servant - you be over five cities. He started with the same, and he's also been faithful, but he hadn't been so productive. His diligence and fruitfulness were less than the first, and what he was given reflected that. He said: “have authority over five cities” - so greater diligence and fruitfulness means greater reward.
Aren't you glad of that! That someone who was a slacker, someone who's unproductive, will not be acknowledged in the same way as someone who committed their life, paid a price, sacrificed, did things in secret, overcome things in secret - clearly there's going to be a difference. Justice requires it, and the Bible teaches it.