Pay Day Is Coming

In Matthew 16:27, Jesus made another prophecy about his coming.   “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”  In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus uses another example to help us understand our responsibility before he returns.  “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.   His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Like the servants in the parable, we have been left to take care of the Lord’s business until he returns.  Understanding our differing abilities and skills he has given us different responsibilities.  Two of the servants went out and actively served their master, expanding his business as a result.    Fearing what others might do, the third man hid what his master had given him, making no effort to serve him. 

Even though their results were vastly different, the Lord was pleased with the efforts of both of those who had tried.   He was not pleased with the third man.  He knew his boss’ power and influence, and if he had made even the slightest effort it would have produced at least a little interest and his master would have been satisfied.  Because he made no effort whatsoever to serve his master, even hiding what his master had given him, his employer was very angry.  Ordering him to be treated just like those who were not his employees.  The Christian who makes no effort to serve God is like the person is hired to do a job but parks his company vehicle where it can’t be seen so he doesn’t have to do anything.  If he just parked where his vehicle could be seen somebody might ask him to do a job for them that would make money for his boss.  Best thing you can do is fire him and give his equipment to someone who will use it.

As Christians, we need to watch out that we don’t become complacent and neglect what we’ve been given to do.    II John 1:8 advises, “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”