The faithless is not without power, nor is the backslider without appeal. Even the unbeliever can marshal an abundance of goods, and the fallen impress with his residual wisdom.
Properly used, that rain falling upon the Unjust, and the goods in the hands of the Shrewd Manager, will make the ungodly attractive leaders among men. Such men are motivated by the world’s riches, and the admiration of others. Though everyone is called to emulate the work ethic of the ant, all of the believer’s words and deeds are to be done in the name of the Lord. Which begs the question: “Who are you working for?”
As we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, it becomes plain that we have wasted a lot of time on things that have not advanced the Lord’s church. Thus, the next question we must face is: “If that time was not used to advance the Lord’s church, what was it used for?”
It is a mistake to wave this question off and say, “Well, whatever happened, it is too late now.” A more productive day in God’s service starts by rejecting the time traps of the past; in order to achieve a list of productive “DOs”, it pays to make a list of unproductive “DON’Ts!”
Jesus did not enter earth on a Holiday Visa. He was here to do what needed to be done, not to waste time on excursions. He made every day count:
“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4).
You and I must make our days count. This starts with a specific prayer and a willingness to be a part of God’s answer to that prayer:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38).
“Who are you working for today?”
John Staiger