THE BLESSING OF WORK
“And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”
Luke 12:47-48 (NLT)
When I heard God’s call on my life, I ran from that responsibility. For over a decade, I knew what the Master wanted me to do, but I did nothing to prepare for that calling or move in that direction. After a dozen years of wandering, my desire to be in the world led to severe and long-lasting consequences. How we approach the work God has entrusted us with has a stark impact on both our earthly lives and eternity.
These verses can feel fatalistic when taken out of context, but they are part of a larger teaching where Jesus warns the disciples to prepare for His return (Luke 12:35-48). The overall theme of the passage is that there’s limited time for us to fulfill the work God has called us to do, and we don’t know when that moment of stewardship will come to an abrupt end. And though unpopular in some Christian circles, there is a clear caution that there will be levels of reward for those who prepare for His coming and levels of punishment for those who reject the Master.
Earlier in the teaching (Luke 12:42-46), Jesus says, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the Master can give the responsibility of managing His other household servants and feeding them.” If the Master returns and the servant has done well, he is rewarded and given greater responsibilities. But if the servant beats his workers and parties and enjoys the pleasures of the world, the Master “will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.”
God takes the responsibility He’s given us as His children seriously, and we should do the same. To those who are given much, much is required (Luke 12:48). We represent the Master in everything we do, how we conduct business, how we treat others, how we interact with our enemies, and how we manage our finances. Everything we do is a testimony to unbelievers about our Father’s integrity. Are we showing them a true picture of His holiness and goodness? It’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of this passage and fear punishment, but there is a blessing in working for God.
When we develop His compassion for the broken and the lost, we will be driven to work well for the Master before His return. When we see the hungry and hurting through His eyes, we will move mountains to make a difference. This warning is about turning away from our selfish desires because there’s limited time before the Lord returns. There’s limited time to share God’s message of hope with the lost. That reality should fill us with a desire to be prepared and work for an eternal outcome.
APPLICATION:
There is limited time before the Lord returns, so prepare and work for eternal results.
PRAYER:
Ask God to reveal His compassion and love for the broken in your heart. Ask Him to give you an urgency in your spirit for the work He’s called you to do before Christ’s return and a conviction to resist the temptations and selfishness of this world.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?