Engage in Business Until I Come

1 Samuel 15 and Luke 19

This morning I am thankful for: (1) God’s word, the Bible; (2) Averil’s weight gain; (3) Sophia’s completion of Classical Conversations (CC) Challenge I; and (4) Noah’s completion of CC Challenge A.

The word of Yahweh came to Samuel: I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments. And Samuel was angry, and he cried to Yahweh all night (1 Sam 15:10-11).

Why then did you [Saul] not obey the voice of Yahweh? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of Yahweh? (1 Sam 15:19).

And Samuel said, Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams (1 Sam 15:22).

And Samuel said to [Saul], Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours [David], who is better than you (1 Sam 15:28).

And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And Yahweh regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel (1 Sam 15:35).

[Jesus] said therefore, A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas and said to them, Engage in business until I come (Luke 19:12-13).

When [the nobleman] returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, Lord, your mina has made ten minas more. And he said to him, Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities (Luke 19:15-17).

I [Jesus] tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away (Luke 19:26).

I don’t hear the biblical doctrine of rewards talked about very much. The idea of rewards is that believers who work hard for God in this life will be rewarded in the next. Not every believer is a hard worker for God. All believers are saved, but not all will get equal rewards in Jesus’ kingdom. In fact, according to Luke 19:26, the rich will be very rich and the poor very poor. In Jesus’ kingdom, the gap between rich and poor will be great.

Saul lost kingship because he placed his own interests above God’s interests. David replaced him. In the the parable of the minas, the servant with one mina lost the only mina he had to the servant who had made ten minas.

Jesus wants production out of us. Are we producing?

As believers, we will give an account to Jesus for our production, whether great or small.

Notice, too, the kingdom is not already, not yet. We are not currently living in the kingdom. Jesus’ kingdom is future. We are now living during the period when the nobleman, Jesus, is off in a faraway country receiving his kingdom. When he returns, he will settle accounts with us and personally establish his earthly, physical kingdom.

Father, as believers may we not turn back from following you, as Saul did. May we obey your voice and do what is good in your sight. To obey is better than sacrifice. There are consequences for us, as believers, in doing what is evil in your sight. May we diligently and wisely engage in business until Jesus comes. May we take Jesus’ mina and make ten minas more. May we be faithful in the little things. May we live in such a way that Jesus will honor us with true riches when his kingdom comes. All this by your grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Help us, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today’s priorities: (1) odd and ends; (2) writing; and (3) work.

- Jeff Coleman