Luke 19:27

[Ahanu]

Isn't that a contemporary assumption? There's no suggestion of exploitation or usury in the text.

Scholars agree this parable parallels the story of Archelaus. According to Josephus, those that protested Archelaus' appointment as king abhorred the fact he wanted his subjects "to make liberal presents to himself, to his domestics and friends, and to such of his slaves as were vouchsafed the favour on being his tax gatherers." The lavish lifestyle of such rulers contributed to the destruction of the Jewish people (Ant. 17.299–314). Here we understand how these two slaves made so much money. Exploitation.

 

[Lux]

Guys, thanks each of you for your perspective and interestingly different interpretations. Many parts of the Bible are still enigmatic to me ... I’ll have to sit on this parable a little more and search more ... But I’d like to believe what Jesus meant was to underline the seriousness of our continuous endeavor to keep strengthening our faith after Jesus is gone (I mean, His ‘physical’ presence), and didn’t mean to be cruel to those who have failed, but warned that there could be a cruel consequence (the separation from Him) ... As Jesus ‘rebuked’ James and John when they suggested the village that didn’t welcome them be burnt (Luke 9:51-56), I’d like to believe Jesus would not ever intend to inflict any harm on those who fail to follow Him.

 

[Nicholas Weeks]

Perhaps the larger view of St Paul, regarding the law of reaping what is sown will clarify:

Galatians 6 (RSVCE)

Bear One Another’s Burdens
6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each man will have to bear his own load.

6 Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.