Luke19:13 “Buy and sell with these while I go and then return.”

Jesus and his disciples were getting very close to Jerusalem and expectations were building that God’s kingdom (Jesus’ reign) would begin any time. I am assuming that the disciples were already deciding on the portfolios and different roles they would play in the new kingdom. We are aware of how a couple of them even had their mother to intervene! It is at such a time that Jesus tells them a story.

There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, ' Buy and sell with these while I go and then return.'

When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done. The first had doubled his money and because he was trustworthy in this small job, he was made governor of ten towns. The second made a fifty percent profit and so was put in charge of five towns! The next servant however kept the money safe and sound, hidden in the cellar because he was a little afraid. He knew that the master had high standards and hated sloppiness, and didn't suffer fools gladly.

The master said, 'You're right that I don't suffer fools gladly—and you've acted the fool! Why didn't you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?' His money was taken away and given to the servant who doubled his stake.

The master reiterated, "Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag." 1

Jesus’ thrust through the story is - buy and sell with the deposit he has made in us while he goes and then returns. The RSV uses the word ‘Trade’.
Trading or business is different from an investment especially with regards to the activities (number of transactions) involved in the same. A person who does a trade or business is day in and day out buying and selling and trying to make profit, minimize losses, square off, or keep the show going. A share market enthusiast, someone who is involved in daily buying and selling, exemplifies what a trade comprises of. It is very much unlike an investment wherein I put in my money for a certain time frame and don’t return till that time is done. Trading is like breathing and eating and drinking. It will involve and engage me completely and involves a number of small and different transactions which in turn add up to the turnover.
What is the cue? God has given me various deposits (minas). They can be identified as my talents and abilities, my ministry gifts, my money, my resources, my time, even my children (literal and spiritual) etc. The cue is to keep looking for opportunities to trade these deposits. A trader has eyes and ears open and mind alert to opportunities. I too am supposed to jump on every opportunity wherein my deposits can be put to work.
It is definitely not a once in a while activity. I usually satisfy myself with that Sunday surge or the lone weekday bursts. Trading doesn’t happen like that. I have to be on my toes for it. It has to be done on the Monday and the Thursday and all the other days. What if I don’t? I think I risk not meeting his high standards and in fact I will look like a sloppy fool!
Often I do not put my deposits to work because of fear of failure. I need to remember that the master never said that I have to make profits. Nor did he ask for minimum returns. He just wants me to be active. He just wants me to employ my resources and in turn be tuned and prepared for something greater that I know nothing about, but the master knows. The first servant was made a governor of ten cities! So, the stakes are very high. No wonder, as soon as he returns, more than anything else, the first thing on his mind was to meet up his servants. He was deciding his team for the future. Trade, O my soul, trade!
Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.