Follow the Footsteps

Scripture: Luke 19:13, NIV

“So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ ”

Some say we should redeem time, because time is short. The secular world often says that “time is money,” so be busy making money with the time you have. In the above passage the servants are told to put the master’s money to work until he returns. The master was saying he would return and would want a report or an accounting of what was done with his money.

Jesus Christ said a lot about work when he was in this world. He was in the world for a purpose:

• “ ‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’ ” (John 4:34, NIV)
• “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38, NIV)
• “And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business.’ ” (Luke 2:49, NKJV)
• “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4, NKJV)
• “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21, NKJV)

We are to follow in the steps of the Master whose purpose was to do the will of the Father. He was on a mission while in this world, and we have been left to continue the mission for the kingdom.

“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15, NIV)

We must ask ourselves, “Are we living for the will of God, or are we just living a haphazard life investing in the perishable pursuits of this temporary world?”

Jesus has said, “Tell me what you think about this: A man had two sons. He went to the first son and said, ‘Son, go and work today in my vineyard.’ ” (Matthew 21:28, NCV)

Each day we are to go to work in his vineyard. Daily, we need to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God to be serving the purposes for which he has created us. That will be different for each person, since “He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.” (Psalm 33:15, NKJV)

We want to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and set our minds and hearts on the things above.

We need to invest our time, talents, and treasures in the imperishable values of the kingdom instead of the perishable things of this temporary world. This happens as we discover how we have been uniquely created in Christ Jesus to do special works he prepared for us to do. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV)

Today, ask yourself:

1. Has God revealed to me the works he wants me to do?
2. Am I making it a practice to live for his will rather than my own?