Christian Occupation

"He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us." (Luke 19: 12-14)

In this parable Jesus likened his people to a nobleman's servants who were given instuctions in how they should conduct themselves during the time of his absence from them, commanding them to "occupy" until he returned.

How do Christians "occupy" their lives while they are in waiting for their Lord's return? The Lord's servant's lives should be one of steady and regular "occupation." The whole career of their lives, all their "works" or "affairs," are involved in this divine calling and spiritual occupation. Jesus said:

"And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2: 49 KJV)

But this is what the Christian too is to say of his life. He too desires to "be about" the "Father's business" in his daily life. It is his calling, career, and occupation. This is what the Christian "does for a living," so to speak. Jesus also said:

"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." (John 9: 4 KJV)

"The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me." (John 10:25 KJV)

So too should the Christian feel a calling, and an urgency, to live his life and to "conduct his affairs." He says, or should say, regarding each day of his life, or of his life as a whole, "I must work the works of God my Father." He also knows that it is his works, or how he lives his life from day to day, that will "bear witness to" whether he is truly what he professes to be.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10 KJV)

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 14 KJV)

These two verses tell us that one must be FIRST saved and redeemed in order to live the Christian life. The Christian life is begun with a drastic regeneration of spirit (Titus 3: 5), and with a radical re-creation of his heart and mind, thus equipping and empowering him to live the Christian life. He is a person who has a zeal for living the kind of life that Lord God desires that he live, a life full of good works.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11: 6 NIV)

"Everything that does not come from faith is sin." (Romans 14: 23 KJV)

Thus, faith is essential to living the Christian life, with properly occupying one's life as a servant of God. The Christian life begins with a radical transformation on the inside and this soon manifests itself outwardly in a life of good works. The Christian life begins from the moment of conversion, from the time of initial "...repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God..." (Hebrews 6: 1 KJV)

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?" (John 6: 28-30 KJV)

Again, Jesus is telling us that one cannot live a life pleasing to God in good works without faith, nor without a conversion of the soul to Christ. The Christian begins his spiritual career with an act of faith and trust in Christ.

"They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." (John 8: 39 KJV)

Abraham believed in Christ. By faith he foresaw the coming of the Messiah and believed what was revealed to him concerning him. Throughout the life of Abraham, he acted in faith and "occupied himself" in doing the will of the Lord. He is therefore the "father of the faithful" and an example for how one is to live a meaningful life of service to God.

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16: 3 KJV)

Again, the Christian life is begun in faith, with a heart commitment to the Lord and to his word, to his Christ. Only then will one's life, thoughts, and deeds all be "established."

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (II Corinthians 9: 8 KJV)

"Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13: 21 KJV)

"Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (II Thessalonians 2: 17 KJV)

These verses show that not only does the Lord "set the Christian right" in his conduct and course of life, in initial regeneration and conversion, but also in his daily fulfilling of the will of God concerning him. He will be instructed and led by the word and Spirit of God to live this life. Not only this, but he will be regularly empowered and blessed to be able to do SO. His living the Christian life is as much the work of God as was his initial salvation. The Christian must therefore look daily to the Lord for all that he needs to live a godly and righteous life.

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Titus 3: 8 KJV)

It is a good work to believe in Christ, to trust in him and in his atoning death for salvation, and to repent of sins, by his grace and power, and it is the will of God that he continue in faith, and in repentance, and in doing good and in doing the "Father's business."

"Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." (Proverbs 22: 29 KJV)

"Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice." (Psalm 112: 5 NIV)

Recall that the one who "comes to God" is the one who believes that God is a "rewarder" of those who seek him and live a life of diligent service to him. They believe the precious words of promise regarding their reward, of the "things God has promised to those who love him," to those who "occupy" themselves in divine service, of those who consecrate their hearts and lives to God.

"He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster." (Proverbs 18: 9 KJV)

"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." (Romans 12: 11 KJV)

The servant who is properly "occupying" his time in life will not be one who is idle in good works or in doing the will of his Lord, but will be diligent and industrious in it. He will be hard-working and will know that everything he does is to be done "unto the Lord." (See Colossians 3: 17, 23) He will not be generally lazy in spiritual matters nor lack fervency in his spiritual life and communion with the Lord.

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." (Proverbs 31: 27 NIV)

"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (II Timothy 2: 4 KJV)

The first verse above describes the "virtuous woman" of faith and how she daily conducts the affairs of her life. It is also descriptive of the life of the Christian. He too is one who, as a life servant of God, does not unduly entangle himself with the "affairs of this life," but with spiritual matters, with how he might in all things please the Lord. The Christian is one who has his priorities right and a proper and healthy "world view."

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15: 58 KJV)

Again, the life of the Christian ought to be one where he is always "busy" in doing the things God has called him to do in life, to be hard working in doing good and in fulfilling the will of his Master. Again, he knows too that his works will not go unnoticed or unrewarded.

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." (I Thessalonians 1: 3 KJV)

This again describes the life occupation of the Christian. His works are all "works of faith" because they are done in faith, and done to the glory of God and in the name of Jesus. His labors spring from his love for his Lord, for without the divine love in the heart no man's works will be accepted or judged to be good. His works are also done with "patience of hope," with a firm perseverance of spirit, stemming from his belief that God will reward his obedience, both now and forever.

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1: 10 KJV)

Again, the life of the Christian is described and characterized. He walks worthy of the Lord. He pleases the Lord. He is fruitful and abundant in good deeds. He grows in his knowledge of God and truth, of the holy scriptures.

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you." (I Thessalonians 4: 11 KJV)

Again, the life of the Christian is further described. He is not one who seeks worldly fame and honor, or who tries to "make a big splash" in life, but seeks the glory and honor that comes only from Christ. He seeks to live the quiet contemplative life, for the most part.

"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." (Ephesians 4: 28 KJV)

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." (II Thessalonians 3: 10-13 KJV)

These words describe the life of the Christian as one in which he labors hard to do the will of his Master, and is honest in all his dealings and affairs. He earns his own way, and keeps his priorities right, and does all for the glory of God.

"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 24: 48-51)

Those servants who do not believe in Christ, and who do not fear him, nor love doing his service, are described in the above words of Jesus. These servants (employees) soon show their true colors by their lack of zeal in good works, and in the fact that they do not enjoy their work, nor love their spiritual employer (boss).

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (I Timothy 6: 17-19 KJV)

If we are blessed with abundance in this life, then we are called upon to use these advantages towards fulfilling our calling in life as a Christian. A Christian is one who sees that money is not to be horded, but to be shared and used for the good of others, such as the poor and of those who labor full time to preach and teach the gospel to others.

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2: 14-20 KJV)

The real Christian, as opposed to the false professor, or the hypocrite, is one who has a "living" faith, as opposed to a "dead" faith, or as opposed to the faith of "devils" ('demons'). He lives his faith. He demonstrates the reality of it by the good works that follow faith, and that characterize his life in Christ.

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (I Peter 2: 12 KJV)

By the word "conversation" more is meant than what a man says with his lips or with his words. They include what he says with his deeds, and with his manner of living. Christians, by their life of faith and good deeds, are able to demonstrate the falsity of those who attack the Christian religion and charge it with being a detrimental thing to society and to a person's life. By the Christian living a life of faith and of good works he is able to move others to praise God and possibly to see the reality and truth of the Christian religion.

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." (Hebrews 10: 24 KJV)

The Christian is to do all he can to get others to live the Christian life, and to do good, and to promote love between neighbors.

"You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops." (Haggai 1: 9, 10 NIV)

Is this still not true today? Why do so many "servants," and so many professing Christians, not live the happy and fulfilled life of a real Christian? Is it not because they have not really gotten their priorities right? Is it not because they put their own carnal desires first and because they neglect divine service?