Near the end of his life Jesus tells a parable about a rich businessman who goes on a journey.

Before he leaves he calls in three of his servants. To the first guy he gives, in today’s equivalents, about $5 million. To the second guy he gives about $2 million. Then to the third fellow he gives about $1 million. He says, essentially, I’m giving you a huge amount of responsibility and a great opportunity to manage these resources for me until I get back.

The first fellow, right away, goes out and doubles the money. $10 million! The second fellow, right away goes out and doubles the money. $5 million! But the third fellow is wicked, derelict and lazy and puts the money in a box in the ground and doesn’t care about increasing his master’s business.

When the businessman gets back he says, “Let’s settle up. What did you do with what I gave you? Bring your report to me. While I was away I expected you to be productive.

Well, the first two fellows are eager to share what they’ve done. They are so glad to be a part of his wonderful company and considered it a privilege to work for him.

But the third fellow comes out with excuses and insults and says, “Well, I figure you are a harsh, merciless, stern, unrelenting, grasping type of person. So I put it in the ground. Here’s your money back.”

Well, if you know the parable, or even if you don’t, you will not be surprised that the businessman was absolutely delighted with the first two fellows. He praises them, promotes them, and then says “Enter into the joy of your master.” But he is not pleased at all by the excuses, insults, and the dereliction of duty of the third man. He labels him “wicked and slothful.” He sees right through his excuses. He takes away his privileges. Then he punishes him by sending him out into the outer darkness.

What a great story! In the previous parable Jesus makes clear that his disciples are to “be prepared” for his return. In this parable Jesus makes clear that his disciples are to “be productive” until he returns.

Now, not all Christians are the same. God gives different people different gifts and various amounts of resources. Some more, some less. That’s clear from the parable. But all who belong to Jesus Christ are to be productive for his kingdom with whatever time, talents, and resources that he has given to them. That’s why we read in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” That’s pretty clear.

But where does the motivation come from? Obviously the first two fellows had a love for their boss, and a pretty radical commitment to his agenda. They liked the idea of building up and expanding the company. Where does this love and servant energy come from? For some reason they love being part of his team and enjoy the benefits that he has given them.

So again, where does the motivation come from? Well, you cannot understand Ephesians 2:10 – that we are supposed to do good works, that God has prepared for us to do, - unless you understand the reality described in the several verses that are written beforehand. Read with me Ephesians 2:4 – 9. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Wow! Before you DO anything for God, first, you and I must UNDERSTAND and PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE his amazing Grace. Have you experienced “the richness of his mercy?” His “great love with which he loved us?” Being “made alive” when you are spiritually “dead in your sins?” Being “saved by grace and not by works?” Being given the “gift of faith?” Being freed from “any boasting” at all?

Do you anticipate that in the coming ages you will display “the immeasurable riches of his grace?” His “kindness toward you” because you are “in Christ Jesus?”

This is where love for God and energy to serve him comes from. And when that happens, best of all, you look forward to “enter into the joy of your Master!” Our God is a God of joy. Our heavenly destiny is an eternal experience of joy! Happiness and satisfaction and delight on steroids! Because it is with Him!

Does this parable resonate with you?

Musing’s from Pastor John, February 21, Click to Email Pastor John