WHAT ON EARTH ARE

YOU DOING

FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE

By Katja Schmidt

LIVE TO WORK TO (TRY

AND)LIVE?

In your lifetime you will spend about 99 100 hours at work on average (from age 20 – 65)

We work because most of us have to!

PAY THE MORTGAGE

ALL THE OTHER BILLS

TAKE CARE OF THE FAMILY

HOLIDAYS

SO WE CAN RETIRE ONE DAY

LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM

A RADICAL CHANGE IS

NEEDED

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS:

MATTHEW 25:13 - 30

13 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.”

The word "talent' is derived from the Greek word talanton', = "balance, sum, weight," was an unit of weight, in gold and silver.

In this story a wealthy man prepares for a journey by entrusting his estate to his servants. In Mathew, there are three servants, and they receive shares according to their ability (25:15). A talent would be roughly equivalent to 20 years wages for the average worker. Five talents = one hundred years worth of labor, an astronomical amount of money.

One slave, was however, too afraid to take a risk. Instead, he attempted to secure his own well-being. In the end his unfaithfulness to carry on the master's work cost him severely (25:30). “ For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance (resources to exercise stewardship over). But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

WE NEED TO BE ABOUT HIS

BUSINESS

In its literary setting, Jesus tells this story to his disciples

(24:3) to prepare them for the days ahead when their

faith will be tested. We are to demonstrate our

faithfulness until the return of the Lord.

What does faithfulness look like in a time of waiting?

All who would follow Jesus are to preach the good news

of the kingdom to the whole world (24:14) by going

about the work that the master has called them to do

(24:24-51). This work includes visiting the sick and

imprisoned, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger,

and feeding the hungry (25:31-46). Those who are found

faithful may hear their Master say, "Well done, good and

faithful servant.”

YOUR MARKET

PLACE =

YOUR MISSION

ON A MISSION:

CHANGE THE WORLD YOU

WORK IN

ALWAYS be a Christian (not just after hours or Sundays)

Pray for God’s leadership in your work life

Let work become an act of prayer

Pray for your employees, clients, suppliers, co-workers, leaders

STEP OUT IN FAITH!

Pray for the sick, broken-hearted

Start a prayer or bible study group

Give and help others financially

Love those around you – be compassionate, be there to listen and be a friend. (Err on the side of love rather than judgment)

Be real! Be the Light and the Salt. Lead people to Christ.

LIVE YOUR LIFE RADICALLY

FOR CHRIST

“THE KEY is realizing, and believing, that this world is not your home. If you and I ever hope to free our lives from worldly desires, worldly pleasure, worldly dreams, worldly ideals, worldly values, worldly ambitions, and worldly acclaim, then we must focus our lives on another world….we must fix our attention on “a better country” – a heavenly one. Though you and I find ourselves surrounded by the lure of temporary pleasure, we must fasten our affections on the one who promises eternal treasure that will never spoil nor fade. if your life or my life is going to count on earth, we must start by concentrating on heaven. For then and only then, will you and I be free to take radical risks, knowing that what awaits us is a radical reward.” David Platt