Saved and Seated

"Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.'" — Luke 19:13
 
Is it possible to be so excited about Jesus coming back that you stop doing anything for Him until He gets here?
 
It happened in Thessalonica. Paul had taught them that Jesus was coming again, and a small group in that church decided there was no reason to keep working. They quit their jobs, sat on the sidelines, and let the generous believers in the church pay their bills. They acted like they were more spiritual than everybody else because they were waiting for Jesus. I call them Christian panhandlers.
 
Paul wasn't impressed. He told the church to warn those who were idle.
 
In the parable, Jesus pictures a nobleman who goes away to receive a kingdom. Before he leaves, he puts resources in his servants' hands and tells them to engage in business until he comes. The King James says, "Occupy till I come." He didn't tell them to stare at the horizon. He told them to get to work.
 
Some of us have a version of this problem. We're content to be saved. We've got our ticket punched, and now we're just sitting in the pew waiting for the bus. But God didn't call you to be saved and seated. He called you to be saved and serving.
 
The Thessalonians had the right doctrine and the wrong response. Believing Jesus could come today should make you busier, not lazier. It should make you want to finish well whatever He's put in your hands.
 
Maybe you need to repent today, not because you've done something scandalous, but because you've been living for your own agenda and asking God to bless it. Ask Him instead, "Lord, what do You want from my life?"
 
When Jesus comes back, I want Him to find me busy doing what He told me to do. Don't you?