MEMORY VERSE: “ And not many days after the younger son gathered all together,and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” Luke 15:13.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 19:11-27.
INTRODUCTION
The phrase “Occupy till I come” is a biblical reference found specifically in Luke 19:13 (KJV). In other versions of the Bible, it reads: “Do business till I come” (NKJV); “Put this money to work till I come” (NIV);”invest this money for me while I’m gone” (NLT); Operate with this until l return” (MESSAGE). In this context, ‘occupy’ means ‘do business,’ ‘trade,’ ‘invest.’ This phrase is part of a parable told by Jesus, commonly known as the Parable of the Minas or the parable of the pounds. literally , the Pounds, given to the servants in this parable, is ‘money’.
OUTLINE
- WHAT ‘THE POUND’ REPRESENTS
- WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH ‘THE POUND’
- WHAT ‘THE POUND’ REPRESENTS
‘The Pound’ in this context represents the ‘resource’ that God has given to a person to help them fulfil their life’s purpose This includes your breath/ life 2 Corinthians 5:15; salvation Acts 9:13-15; good health Mark 15:18-20; variety of resources 1 Chronicles 22:5; Luke 10:33-35; influence Esther 4:12-17; anointing/grace 1 Corinthians 15:10; knowledge of God Ephesians 3:2-5; and spiritual gifts/talents 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.
2. WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH ‘THE POUND’
There are three options available for the servants in the parable of the Pound Luke 19:11-27 and the same is applicable to every child of God: (i) to spend ‘the pound’ frivolously; (ii) to keep ‘the pound’; (iii) to invest ‘the pound.’ We shall consider the first option in this outline – to spend ‘the pound frivolously.’ There are people who think that everything God gives to them is only for their self-satisfaction and comfort Luke 12-16. 21. For instance:
- Samson spent his ‘pound’ on strange women Judges 14:1-3; 16:1; the strength (pound) was meant to deliver his people from their enemies, but he misused it Judges 13:5. He was killing the enemies without acknowledging God as his source of strength and victories Judges 15:16. He wasted his anointing and lost his uncommon power on the laps of Delilah Judges 16:18-21.
- Solomon enjoyed God’s help 1 Kings 2:12 but was full of self. He took God’s grace for granted and spent his ‘pound’ on strange women who turned his heart away from God 1 Kings 11:1-4. The Bible makes it clear that the breakthrough, promotion, deliverance, etc. we enjoy is to do good works and propagate the kingdom of God and not for self-gratification Mark 15:43-46; Genesis 41:39-41, 51: Mark 5:1-20
- Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 4:29-33: Such people pride themselves in their secular achievements and boasts about ‘my hard-earned money, ‘my intelligence or wisdom,’ ‘my plan or strategy’ etc. They do not acknowledge the ‘God-factor’ in their achievements nor offer the praise and glory due to Him. Acts 12:21-23.
- The Prodigal Son Luke 15:12-13: There are some people wasting their God-given potentials on things that have no eternal value. Some even use their ‘pounds’ to entertain the world and not for the propagation of the gospel or the expansion of the kingdom of God on earth.
CONCLUSION
What are you doing with ‘the pound’ given to you by God? Make up your mind not to be wasteful like the characters above.
FURTHER READING
Sun: Luke 19:13.
Mon: Luke 10:33-35.
Tues: Acts 12:21-23.
Wed: 1 Kings 11:1-4.
Thurs: Luke 15:12-13.
Fri: Mark 5:18-20.
Sat: 1 Corinthians 15:10