Volume 46   Number 1                                                         September 2003

The Beloved Son of God taught us three valuable lessons in the 25th chapter of Matthew; two are parables, and one is a vivid description of the dramatic scene on the Day of Judgment. All three lessons share this common thread: God expects us to wisely use the resources, abilities, and opportunities He gives us. The wonderful reward for obedience is beyond our comprehension, while failure to comply is an unspeakable crime against God which results in everlasting punishment and darkness, weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth!

From the parable of the Ten Virgins, we learn to be truly ready for the return of the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. If we do not put oil in our own lamps, we will certainly not be able to borrow fuel from others. Many Christians have the outward profession of faith (a lamp), but haven't got the inward profession of a Spirit-filled mind and heart (oil) (Ephesians 5:18). The lamp makes a person appear religious, but without the genuine conversion of the inner man, the light doesn't shine. If our lights do not shine, we will be as out of place at the Wedding as the enemies of the Groom would be. Only true friends of the Bridegroom will be able to enter the Marriage Feast. Only those who rejoice greatly at the voice of Jesus (John 3:29) will enjoy His everlasting sweet fellowship.

From the parable of the Talents, we learn how the Lord rightfully expects a return on His investments. God does not give every servant the same amount of gifts, but He expects the same interest rate from every one: 100%! Because someone else has more than you does not excuse you from working with what you have been given. And the Lord will always give more to those who use His gifts, while He takes away from those who do not use what they already have. If we do not employ and develop the abilities God has given to us, our end-of-life review will mark us as wicked and lazy servants.

Finally, from the Judgment Day scene, we learn that our eternal destiny is determined by our works (See also Revelation 20:12). The division of sheep and goats is based upon who used their opportunities to do good on earth. If we capitalize on our opportunities to bless others, "the least of these My brethren", we secure a place for ourselves at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. But if we know to do good and yet do it not, we have sinned against Jesus Himself and will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. So much to gain, and yet so much to lose!

God created the first man in the beginning, then crowned him with the gracious blessing, "Be fruitful and multiply." Adam was given everything he needed to fulfill the blessing, and from the first couple we now have the teeming human race.

The second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:45), has also taken a Bride, which is the Church (Ephesians 5:25-32). Through His Bride, Jesus will be fruitful and multiply. The Church is composed of those who work with Jesus to fulfill His eternal purpose of gathering those of every nation into Christ (Genesis 49:10; Ephesians 1:10). Jesus works with His Father (John 5:17-20), and He gives to us the privilege of working with Him on the same eternal project.

As members of the Lord's Body, we must not be empty vessels who have no oil in our lamps. No one turns on a light and then covers it up. God does not want laziness in His Church either, so we must be busy using and developing the many talents He has graciously given us so that fruit can be borne to the glory of God. Many are attracted to churches where little is expected of them, but the faithful make good use of their God-given abilities and gladly invest them in the edification of the Church. Nor do we want to be void of good works since that will be a criteria Jesus will use to discern between the sheep and the goats on the Last Day.

Are we using what God has given us? He has indeed given us much more than we deserve. Let us resolve to be more faithful with the time, talents, and opportunities we have so that God will be glorified in us both here and in eternity!