Compound Interest

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

Luke 19:12-20

Alright, what's the problem? Ten servants got a hold to ten pounds between them. Technically it wasn't theirs, just the master's business. While he was gone, they were supposed to be very busy. But there was a problem that wasn't found until the master's return. Only three servants turned back up. Do you know how many servants never showed up? Ten without three makes that seven. Along with them, each one reported having only a pound. Three servants with a pound apiece out of ten made seven that were missed. What do you think might have happened? I'm willing to wager that the seven servants made off with their master's money and never returned. Really quick, take away seven from ten. Okay, so that makes three servants left.

One servant had one pound that had ten others with it.

One and ten makes eleven.

One servant had one pound that had five others with it.

One and five makes six.

One servant had only one pound left and nothing else with it.

How many pounds in total did the master have left?

Eleven and six and one finally becomes a nice round sum of eighteen.