There are times when a sermon from Sunday lasts with you all week. This is one of those times for me. We, as a church, are working through the book of Luke. It has been a very encouraging study on the life of Christ and his followers. On Sunday, we were looking at Luke 19:11-27 which is a familiar parable about a nobleman who leaves his servants to steward his money well. He goes away and expects them to have not only taken care of his money but to have used it wisely to increase the amount. What really stood out to me on Sunday was the phrase, “engage in business until I come.” Why? Because as a follower of Christ, I have the responsibility to steward what God has given me well. Do I always do that? Absolutely not! How do I need to change?

It’s so easy for me to become complacent in the life as usual mode. I get into habits in this life that begin to rule what I do. When I do this, I don’t evaluate what I’m doing. The drum beat of the usual takes over and I just do. Has that happened to you? We begin to move and do without thoughts of purpose. God never moves without a purpose. “…My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” Isaiah 46:10b In this passage, we are reminded that God’s purpose will be accomplished. We have the call, as followers of Christ, to imitate God. (Ephesians 5:1) If I am to imitate God, then I need to know my purpose and strive toward it. This life’s purpose is to bring God glory in all I do. If I don’t take the time to evaluate my life, then how do I fulfill that?

The steps I take in this life can only be taken because of what has been given to me. Jesus came to this earth, lived perfectly, and died perfectly for me. His sacrifice became the payment for all my sins before God. I am one of God’s children and part of the body of Christ. As part of the body, I’ve been given gifts from the Spirit to benefit the body and bring God glory. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10 I need to be a steward of what has been given me by God’s grace. He has gifted me with abilities that need to be used for his glory. Do I know what those gifts are? Am I being a good steward of them?

We have a tendency to struggle with what knowing what gifts have been given to us for the kingdom’s sake. There are tests that some take to find out specifically what gifts they have. The best way to find out is to pray and ask God to reveal your gifts to you. You can also ask a trusted friend what gifts they see in you. These are ways to know and then steward them well. The truth is if we take the time to study the gifts listed in the Scriptures, we will find that many of them we all have as followers of Christ. We are to look like Christ in our interactions. While you may not have the gift of teaching for a large group, you may be a teacher to your own children in the areas of life that only you can help them to follow. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”                1 Corinthians 10:31 Being a good steward is all about the glory of God. Am I always aware of the glory of God? Not really! I should be, because my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is coming back again. “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.” Revelation 22:12

What have I done for the kingdom? Have I been a good steward of all that God has given to me? Jesus is coming again and each one of us will give an account of what we’ve done with what he has given to us. That’s scary because the mundane life of habits will not measure up. In our text on Sunday, the third servant just kept the money to give back to the nobleman. He was condemned because he didn’t steward it, he hid it. He didn’t engage in business. I think this is why this phrase of engaging in business has been on my mind. Am I engaging in the business of God’s glory or wasting the gifts he’s given to me? I NEED HELP! We all do because we can’t be a good steward on our own.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

ENGAGE IN HIS BUSINESS, UNTIL HE COMES!