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HELEN SANDERS
8-25-2022
OCCUPY TILL I COME
One of the parables Jesus taught is found in Luke 19:12-26 where He tells the story of a Nobleman that went into a far country to receive a kingdom for himself. He had ten servants that he called to him and gave them ten pounds (money) and told them to “Occupy till I come.” (vs. 13.)
We will not go into the whole parable, but just the part, “Occupy till I come.” To occupy oneself is to keep oneself busy trading or doing business. It means that you take what you have and make it increase, you do not set it on a shelf and do nothing.
When I think of “occupied territory” I think of lands that the enemy may have stolen by force. A good soldier will be trained to take what has been stolen, and take it back, then stand vigilant against the enemy so it will not be taken again. There is work involved in this. The soldier does not just take the land back and have a sigh of relief. No, that land must be guarded and kept free from further attacks. He must be vigilant in maintaining it.
So many people are caught up in the events of the world that they have taken their eyes off their “Occupy till I come” assignment. They are not taking care of the kingdom like Jesus said in the parable. Jesus expects increase in all that we put our hands to. We are building “His” kingdom, and not our own. All that we have is a direct result of what God has blessed us with.
We do not want to be found lacking when Jesus returns. The end of the parable in Matthew did not go so well for one that did not bring increase. He did not “occupy” or do anything with what he was given. He hid what was given and then he made excuses just like some of us do when we do not do the job we should be doing for the Lord. The servant that hid his master’s talent had that talent taken from him and it was given to the one that brought the most increase. Some would say it wasn’t fair, but each of those servants knew their master’s instructions.
We must live our lives for the Lord every day. We must enjoy all that he has blessed us with, but at the same time “occupy” our territory and not let Satan steal it. We are soldiers in God’s army and Jesus is the commander in chief. We listen to His instructions, then do his bidding, and knowing that he is just in giving reward. The only way to do this is to be about His business and “occupy” till he comes.
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