TIME IS RUNNING OUT
The story of the
servants with the “talents” (Matthew 25:14-28) is a good lesson on the use of
time and what hapens when time is not used for good purpose. Three
servants were given different quantities of money. Two of them invested the money and were able to double the amount. The third servant dug a hole in the ground and buried the money. Of course no interest was generated while the money was buried in the ground.
The time soon came when the servants were called upon to give an account of the “talents” that were given to them. Verse 19 tells us: “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.” The two servants who made good use of the time that the master was away to invest and double their “talents” were rewarded. The “talent” was however, taken from the servant who was afraid to invest and
increase his master’s money.
The master expected that upon His return the servants would have increased what was given to them. Jesus expects the same of us. He gave us the responsibility to spread the gospel and increase His kingdom. What would He find when He returns? Have we done to increase His kingdom? What did we do during the time that He was away?
We all have a great responsibility to make effective use of time. Time is a phenomenon that occurred even before God created Man. It is an intangible that has eluded our mastery for as long as we can remember. We never have enough time to do all the things that we set out to do.
Time is totally out of the realm of our senses. We cannot see, feel, smell, hear nor taste time but its passing underpins the success of everything that we do. God knew what He was doing when He gave us the measure of time that we have. What is done with it is entirely up to us.
Time is a gift from God. We must use every day, hour and second to accomplish things that are worthwhile for the fulfillment of the purpose for which we are created. Did you bury the gospel in your heart while you sit and wait for the master to return? Are you investing in other peoples' lives by sharing the good news of the gospel with them? What are you doing with your time?
Each day is a new beginning for us to create, renew, restore, revive; to bring hope, good health, prosperity and eternal life to people everywhere. Too many weeks, months and years are spent watching and waiting from day to day. Too much time is spent complaining and murmuring, waiting for something to happen or for someone else to get things done. Time is wasted remembering the hurts of yesterday, recalling and recycling gossip or reminiscing over past successes that are irrelevant today. Is this a good way to utilize the gift of time that God gave to us?
While you are waiting and complaining, remembering and reminiscing, your time is running out for contributing towards preparing and increasing the Kingdom of God. Time is running out for people in your community. Time is running out for Christians who are asleep in the Church. Why aren’t you using the gift of time to save them?
Jesus made us fishers of men (Matthew 4:19) so we are expected to go out into the world and share the Truth with others. What about your own life? You may believe that your good works in the church, your knowledge of the word of God and your faithfulness to tithing are enough to please God. Unfortunately, while your good deeds may gain you favor in the eyes of Man, your evil thoughts will condemn you in the eyes of God. He knows those who serve and praise Him with their mouth but whose secret thoughts are not aligned with the words that they speak (Matthew 15:8, Jeremiah 9:8).
The story of the talents tells us about increase and growth. The “talents” that God gave to us were not meant to be kept to ourselves and hidden away from others. They were meant to be shared with everyone that we meet. We must use our talents to save the lives of people and bring them into the kingdom of God.
The things that you o today will determine your reward when the Master returns. The work of the Lord must be accomplished. If you do not use your "talents" to fulfill the Lord's purpose, they will be taken away and given to those who are making good use of the time while we still have it.