Luke 19:16:

Luke 19:16 says, Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. The first servant came to his master and told him that he had earned ten pounds from the one.  Nothing that he gained was really his, but still belonged to his master.  Whatever we gain for God as servants of God is still God's.  Verse seventeen adds, And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.  The servant was rewarded by being given authority over ten cities, but he still didn't own them.  Everything that we have authority over as Christians really belongs to God.  Verse eighteen states, And the second cme, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.  The second servant came and told his master that he had earned five pounds from the one.  He did not do as well as the first servant, but he had used the pound wisely.   We will not all produce as much fruit for God because we don't all have the same talents, but we must produce fruit to the best of our ability.  Verse nineteen adds, And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.  This servant was also rewarded for his success, being given authority over five cities.  God will never give us authority over more than we can handle.  Verse twenty says, And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:  Verse twenty-one adds, For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.  The third servant came to his master with the original pound, which he said he kept hidden because he was afraid to lose it.  He also attempted to put the responsibility of his not gaining anything for his master on his master.  If we do nothing for God out of fear of failure, it is not His responsibility.  Verse twenty-two adds, And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:  The Master told the servant that he would judge him out of the words of his own mouth.  The servant knew the nature of his master, but did not act in accordance with it.  As followers of Christ, we know the nature of God, and we should act in accordance with it.  Verse twenty-three continues, Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?  The master asked the servant why he didn't at least turn the pound over to the bank so it would have at least have earned something.  Hiding the things that God has blessed us with is the worst thing we can do.  Verse twenty-four declares, And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.  The master told them to take the pound from the servant and give it to the servant who had been given the ten pounds.  There was no authority over another city though.  If we seem to be accomplishing nothing for God today because of fear of failure, we might want to ask who has our pound.  God's work is going to be accomplished with or without us, but it would be easier for this to happen if we used what God has blessed us with to accomplish His will in the world.  Verse twenty-five adds, (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)  The other servants pointed out to the master than the servant already had ten pounds.  We don't need to be concerned about how much other Christians have, especially if they have gained it by serving God faithfully.  Verse twenty-six declares, For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. Jesus said that those who had produced fruit for God would be rewarded with more, and to those who haven't, even what they started with would be taken away.  If we do not use what God has blessed us with for the advancement of His kingdom and for His honor and glory, we should not be surprised when we have Him take it away.  Verse twenty-seven adds, But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.  Jesus then said that His enemies, those who did not acknowledge His authority over them, would be slain before Him.  It is better to be a servant and be a part of His kingdom, even if we are unprofitable, because salvation is not gained or kept by our works, but by faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.