God's Business

John elder statesman of first-century faith wrote: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

Here the apostle states that believers, whom he refers to as the "children of God," are waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. When He is, they will become like Him for they will see Him face to face. Paul also referred to this change that will take place as believers enter the presence of Christ. At any rate, John is convinced that those who have the hope of one day being in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and being like him will want to purify themselves. Christians, while still living in a sinful world, want to minimize its effect on them. This is one of the things that should keep us occupied as we watch and pray looking for the Lord's return. We should be cooperating with the Holy Spirit as He moulds our character to be like that of Jesus.

I also want to draw your attention to the fact that Jesus’ disciples picked up the impression that He was going to bring in the kingdom of God immediately. So Jesus communicated to them that there was going to be a break in the program. He was going to return to the right hand of his Father. Then at some future date, He would come back and set things in motion for the end of this tired old world.

In Luke 19, we find what is called the parable of the minas and its purpose is to show that we are to work as well as to watch, pray and keep ourselves pure. Here it is: Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, `Do business till I come.' But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, `We will not have this man to reign over us.'

And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, `Master, your mina has earned ten minas.' And he said to him, `Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.' And the second came, saying, `Master, your mina has earned five minas.' Likewise he said to him, `You also be over five cities.' Then another came, saying, `Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.'

And he said to him, `Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' And he said to those who stood by, `Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas... For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.' (vv11-27)

Just as the nobleman in the parable expected his servants to use his resources wisely while he was away, so our Lord expects us to use the resources he has entrusted to us wisely until He returns. Look at the frightful consequences of not obeying the Lord in this matter of "doing business" until His return. That which the timid servant had, or at least thought he had, was taken away and given to another.

What is the nature of the business or work we are to be engaged in this present age? There are several things that could be included. Spreading the gospel of Christ to those who have not heard is certainly one - mandated by Christ Himself when he told his followers to "Go into all the world and make disciples." James tells us that pure religion is addressing the needs of widows and orphans. Paul reminds us that we were created to do good works, which we understand to be chiefly service to others.

All of these may be seen as general categories within which God calls individual believers to work as He gifts them and provides opportunities. This would be the best possible time to recommit ourselves to looking for those opportunities, exercising our gifts and aligning our priorities with God’s so that He will be most glorified and we, and those we serve, will be most blessed.

Ron Hughes
© June 2007