Seeking Jesus First - Sept. 26, 2023

“Occupy till I come.”

In a parable in Luke 19, a certain nobleman was leaving his country to receive a kingdom. He called his stewards together and gave them this command.

As we read the parable, we learn what the command means.

“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, ‘(Occupy) 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.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he 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.’ ”” (Luke 19:11–27, NKJV)

“Before he departed he summoned his ten servants together and said, ‘I am entrusting each of you with fifty thousand dollars to trade with while I am away. Invest it and put the money to work until I return.’” (Luke 19:13, TPT)

Jesus tells this parable as they were all approaching Jerusalem and He wanted them to know that He was not establishing a physical kingdom on earth as they had expected.

In this parable, each of the ten servants was given the same investment and authority. They were then each given the same command. “Occupy” or “do business while I am away.” While he was away, the people of his country decided that they did not want him to be their ruler anymore.

After receiving the kingdom, he returned and held each of his stewards to account for what he had given them and commanded them. He rewarded the faithful stewards and punished the unfaithful ones. After holding his own stewards accountable, he went and punished the ones who had rejected him as ruler.

This parable has been applied to many things because there is much to be taught from it.

• Jesus was not setting up a physical kingdom on the earth but a spiritual one.
• Jesus’ followers were not asked to fight a physical war to make Him king.
• Jesus’ followers were asked to continue to live and work and do business while He was away - to remain faithful to the true king even though the rest of the people may reject His kingship.
• Do business and produce an increase to give to the king upon His return. Don’t discount the simple quiet life of faith, hope and love for those who raise a family and give to ministries that go and fulfill the Great Commission. Some are called to business and family. Some are called to business and ministry. Some are sent and some send.
• Jesus will return and hold His followers accountable to what they have ben given. To whom much is given, much is required.
• And, if this parable has any correlations to reality, Jesus will also punish those who have rejected His reign.

What is it that you are called to do?

What are you good at doing?

Do business in that area and be successful. Get better at it. Grow in it. Be the person others look up to for your integrity, discipline and tenacity. Then be the light of Jesus Christ in the middle of that environment. Be a good example of a believer in your family and in your business and in your community. Stay faithful to Jesus and what you believe.