A Day of Reckoning
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Matthew 25:29.
If talents are well improved, increased talents are the result. “Unto every one that hath shall be given.” . . . If Heaven’s bestowed gifts are not appreciated and improved as God’s intrusted capital–if they are buried in worldliness, in selfishness–these powers capable of blessing humanity decrease, and because the God of heaven is not sought after and glorified as the source of all these precious endowments, He is dishonored, and He cuts off the supply. In order to increase, to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we must put to use by human effort our physical and intellectual powers.
Those who hoard up their talents to rust, unemployed, unimproved, must not think that such action in any way relieves them from responsibility, for God holds us responsible for the good we might do if we took up the yoke with Christ, lifting His burdens, learning more of His meekness and lowliness of heart day by day. The interest continues to accumulate on buried talents, and instead of decreasing our responsibility the burying of our talent only increases and intensifies it.
Let the human agent consider the solemn fact that the day of reckoning is just before us, and that we are daily deciding what our eternal destiny shall be. The Master examines every individual case, dealing personally with the talents entrusted by Him. O solemn day of reckoning; that day which will bring paleness to many faces; that day in which the words shall be spoken to many, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting”! It will be an awful thing to be found “wanting” when the book of accounts is opened in that great day. . . . Upon the decisions reached in that day depends the future, eternal interest of every soul. We shall have unspeakable joy, or unutterable woe and misery. . . . O how Jesus will love to recompense every true worker! Every faithfully performed duty will receive His blessing. It is then that He pronounces the benediction, “Well done.”
That I May Know Him p. 326
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Prayer Requests
—– A close relative of mine has been hit by a car and is in coma. The accident was on his road to church and everybody is very discouraged. Please… pray for him! Stfan
—–Please pray for my friend who has an important interview tomorrow. JT
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Dear Friends,
Ron and I attended a church last week where we used to be members. As I was sitting in the sanctuary, I reminisced about how the congregation had been worshipping in an old school building when we first began to attend. As they were able they built a separate building that could eventually be used for a fellowship hall. We had church in there for several years. Finally, the main sanctuary was erected. Some years later, they improved the entrance to the building so that it would look much nicer.
It reminded me of the time when David was king of Israel. The tabernacle that had been made in the wilderness was hundreds of years old. As he was worshipping one day, David had a great desire to build a permanent dwelling for God. This was not a passing thought but one that bore fruit in action. Yet, God told him through Nathan the prophet that Solomon, his son, would be the one to do the building. At the end of his life, he explained to the people his plans. “Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.” 1 Chr 28:2,3
Although David must have been a little disappointed, he still had a part in the building of that magnificent structure called Solomon’s Temple. His part was to get everything ready. He took years in planning for every detail. He gathered huge quantities of top-quality materials for the building. He made sure that everything was ready. At the end of his life, he gathered the people together, gave his son the plans and materials, and made a plea for willing workers. “And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?” 1 Chr 29:5
Today, God needs willing workers to build up His church on earth. He desires workers who will set self, pride, comfort, and worldliness aside and share with all around what He has done for them personally; workers who will put away feelings of “my way is the only way” and unite in building up the church; workers who will put all their effort into gathering souls for the kingdom; workers who will be consecrated to His service in whatever way God leads; workers who will say, as did the prophet Isaiah, “Here am I; send me.” Isa 6:8
All do not have the same part in working for God. As Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” 1 Cor 3:6-10 Solomon adds,”Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Ps 127:1
God has given each person certain talents and abilities for this great work. Not everyone can stand behind the pulpit and evangelize. For some, their witnessing may be giving away books and pamphlets. Some people go door-to-door seeking souls for the kingdom. Others share the love of Jesus by helping those in need. For years, every time I sent out a bill, I added a card for the Amazing Facts lessons. Eileen keeps books and tracts in a tote bag. Wherever she stops on a trip, she places some truth-filled literature for someone to pick up.
May the focus of our life be in building up God’s church. May our happiness be in bringing those around us to the foot of the cross claiming the blessing, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Dan 12:3 May our Dear Saviour’s prayer, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us” be fulfilled in our life. John 17:21
Rose