As I reflect, I can see how I haven’t been the best steward over what God has placed in my hands. I’ve been making excuses for myself. But the truth is I have everything I need to execute, and it was my inability to view what God has given me as urgent that led me to become complacent. The urgency of our God-given responsibility was revealed to me in a very simple yet powerful statement Jesus made as he shared a parable with the crowds one day.
“Occupy till I come”
In this parable, a nobleman is going away on a trip and gives each of his ten servants a bag of money. He then issues the statement: “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). I’ve read this parable before but this was the first time I realised that this statement is a command. It’s not a suggestion. Another version says “invest this for me while I am gone” (NLT). The stakes are different when the nobleman, who represents Jesus, has commanded a return on the investment He has made in you.
I recommend reading the parable yourself to get the full picture (Luke 19:12-27). You will see that one of the servants disobeyed the command to “occupy” and instead hid the money in a “napkin” out of fear. But notice how the nobleman does not respond with “Oh, no worries. I can understand things were tough for you”. Instead, he takes the bag of money from that servant and gives it to a servant who had used his bag well. There was no sympathy for the “wicked” servant because the nobleman had given the servant all that he needed to obey the command. He simply chose not to obey.
Yes, the king replied, and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
Luke 19:26
Bearing in mind that Jesus used parables to express truth, this was a wakeup call for me. Although God is full of love and compassion (Psalm 145:8), this love should not promote passivity. Yes, God is love and out of His love He has given each of us a “bag” — a gift, skill, idea to put to work. When Jesus returns, which the Bible promises us that He surely will (Revelation 22:12), He is going to ask us what we did with the “bag” He gave us. This parable shows us that the consequences will not be light for “those who do nothing” (Luke 19:26).
This is a weighty passage but the good kind of weight that should move us to live our lives differently. For the good stewards, Jesus promises that more will be given to you. But for those who don’t use even the little they have been given, it will be taken away.
When you think about it, it’s not an unreasonable expectation. You wouldn’t give your money to an investor who doesn’t have the credentials to invest it well. Why? Because you want a return on your investment. Or would you give your pet to be looked after by someone you know is irresponsible and hates animals? Absolutely not. Why? Because you want to receive your pet back alive and well. When you want something done and you want it done well, you’ll find the best person for the job.
If God has given you a bag, He is expecting a return
What’s an idea God has placed on your heart that you’ve been making excuses for not acting on? What’s one step you can take right now to action this idea?
If God has given you a bag, He is expecting a return. In the bag you will find everything you need to make it happen – so “Occupy till [He] comes”. It’s a command not a suggestion.
Further reading
Redefining Success 
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