Read Luke 19:11-22. V 13: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Most parables are told to emphasize one truth. But our Lord Jesus’ parable recorded in Luke 19 was told with a triple purpose. First, to teach that a long wait must intervene before the kingdom is established. Second, to teach that God expects His people to do business, or to occupy, until He comes. And third, to teach that severe rebuke awaits those who reject Christ’s rule. I’d like to zero in on Christ’s use of a certain word here: talents. You recall the story of the four servants, one who had ten talents and gained ten other talents, one who had five talents and got five more, one who had two talents and got two more, and one who had one talent but went and buried it. Our Lord Jesus said to this unproductive man, You are a wicked and lazy servant. Now what does this mean to you and me? Let’s say, for example, that you are a gifted singer. Our Lord Jesus’ word to you is that if you don’t sing for His glory and multiply your usefulness, you are being wicked and lazy. Or perhaps you have the ability to manage and to organize. Our Lord Jesus is saying, if you don’t use that ability in order to multiply its usefulness for God, you are being wicked and lazy. All of your talents have been given to you to invest for eternity.
The Lord Jesus, who never made a mistake, who never had to say, Excuse me, please, said that the refusal to invest one’s life for God is wicked and lazy. What could I possibly add to that, dear friend?
This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission.
