Being Faithful and Wise

Devoted focus and faithfulness to stick with an assignment is the call of a disciple.  Amid many distractions and competing priorities, a follower of Jesus stays in step with his master.

Consider this passage about faithful awareness:

Matthew 24:45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.  50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When you are on task at work, there is no change in your blood pressure when the boss walks into the room.  If you have been "dilly-dallying," then shame, guilt, and anxiety swells in your heart. 

The point of this parable like the ones immediately before it in the context is one of preparedness.  Be ready, watchful, and aware.

This Sunday I will be talking about the use of our time.  Two great temptations confront us with our use of time. One is the "Rip Van Winkle" approach.  This temptation is to nod off for a while.  Sleep walking through our education years, early marriage, career, children, and recreational activities.  Then we wake up to discover that much our life is gone.  There is ensuing regret over wasted time that we can never get back and anxiety about the future.

Another temptation is to live like "Peter Pan." Everything is fun and games.  Avoiding all responsibility for as long as possible, this approach leads to a perpetual adolescence.

Neither use of time produces treasure for this life or eternity.

A wise and faithful servant of Jesus has a sober view of precious time ticking by.  Without regret or worry, the wise servant is making her time produce valuable treasure for this life and eternity.  Live with awareness, devotion, and focus.

When trouble comes the wise are able to persevere. Prepared.