Rev Hugh Grant

St Matthew’s Presbyterian Church:

Do you remember the early days of advertising on TV? The adverts were short and few. Then, in the shops the goods were on display with a notice that read "As seen on TV". The goods sold like hot cakes and often we would buy things we didn’t need and so we grew a culture of consumerism!

In Luke 12 Jesus was asked a question about possessions. In verse 15 Jesus replied ‘A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions’. He then gave a word picture of a farmer who was blessed with a good crop and so planned to extend his barns and have a good life. But God said ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you, Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ verse 20. Our foolishness is revealed when we forget that Jesus taught us: ‘Seek first His (that is God’s) kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (the necessities of life) will be given to you.’ Luke 6.33. Where does this leave us?

Jesus gave us another word picture: In Luke 19.11-27, He speaks of a man who left ten servants to work with some of his money while he is away.

Each is given the same amount and is instructed to invest with it till he returns. In a way this can be compared with Jesus giving us the great commission in Matthew 28.

We have the task of investing the good news in people till Jesus comes again! That is mission. Note this: we all have the same spiritual capital – a living relationship with God through Jesus and the instruction to share it with all people! We also have the same length of time – till Christ comes again! All that is different, is our abilities and our attitude. In verse 26 Jesus gives His standard for measuring us: ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken from him.’

In Jesus’ teaching, verses 16 to 20, the first two servants are rewarded for their work. Each one of us has different abilities to use it the service of God. They are God given and are for use in our service of other people in mission. We can assume that all the servants were rewarded except one. He did nothing with the money. His attitude was wrong and what he had was taken from him!

Is this teaching salvation by works? Not at all. What we learn is that we are accountable for how we use our abilities, time and money in serving God in the mission of His church! When last did you stop and compare how much of your abilities and time are spent on yourself as compared with what we spend in serving of God?

The church is criticised for asking people to give a tenth of their income, but I ask are we prepared to give a tenth of our abilities, money and time to build up the mission of the church and God’s kingdom?

Prayer: Lord, teach us how to use the gifts You have given us in serving You.

Amen.