The Parable of the Minas

In our family devotions, we recently read the parable of the minas found in Luke 19. We were greatly encouraged by this parable and the requirement of faith that seems to under-gird the whole parable.
We spent a lot of time talking about the master's return and his claiming of the money from his three servants. Back in Biblical days, a mina was worth approximately 3 months wage for a common laborer. Another Gospel records a denarii which was about 20 years worth of wages. The interesting thing about this, is that it is no small amount in either Gospel, rather it is quite a bit of money.
When the master returns he requires the minas from the hands of his servants. The first servant, who had received 10 minas, gave back 20. The second servant who had received 5, gave back 10. Yet the third one, in fear of being rejected by the master, knowing that he was a shrewd man, gave him back his one. He didn't gamble or take any chances with the mina; but returned to the master the same that he had received.
The master in turn praises the first two servants and makes them authorities over cities. He says, 'You have been found faithful with a little, now you will be entrusted with a lot.' But when it comes time to pay back the third servant, the master in a fit of rage tells the servant he should have at least invested it into a bank and gathered interest with the wages. He takes away the one mina and gives it to the man who has ten. He then says to bring all those who did not desire him to rule over them, so that he might kill them.
Lots can be drawn from this parable. But the one key thing that I want to bring out, is that the third servant, perhaps, thought he was offering and rendering up service to the master. He states that he knew the master, that he was a shrewd man. And in light of who the master was, he wanted to make sure he had all the money when his master returned. But the master is not satisfied with this-- he demanded more from the servants than merely having his gift returned.
What I think we can learn and apply to our own lives, is that in view of God, it does not simply help to know 'of' God. And more importantly, God has required, or demanded, from his servants very specific things (namely faith). Now it is not going to do anyone good to come before the Lord and offer their best efforts, subjective faith, or anything of the like. The Lord has required much from us, and we are to give everything to Him in an act of joyful obedience. We approach God on God's terms, not on our own. We give to God, what God requires of us. He isn't pleased with the simple conjuring thoughts of man. He isn't pleased with simple humanitarian efforts. What pleases God is a faith-- knowing that He is and that He gives rewards. The only way to approach God and offer an acceptable offering to God, comes through the blood of Jesus Christ alone. There is no other way we can approach the Throne and assail it for grace. Our own works righteousness will fall to the ground, and like the men who did not want the master to reign over them, He will cause us all to be condemned. May we remember, that we only approach God as God wants to be approached.