A butcher a baker, a candlestick maker…Jack of all trades, master of none. There are many different jobs in the world. There is more than one way to make a living. Sometimes it is difficult for youth to decide what they want to do for a career. What kind of occupation is pleasing to God? Before the Reformation in Martin Luther’s time people thought that to really please God you have to work for the church. Being a priest, a monk or a nun was seen as a much higher calling than ordinary occupations. Luther’s father was a miner. Luther was studying to be a lawyer, until he was caught in that thunderstorm. Becoming a monk was much more noble than becoming a lawyer. The Reformation changed this line of thinking, although we can still slip back into it today.
Sometimes we see modern day monasticism. We think helping out at church is more God pleasing than taking care of our families. One might think that baking pies for churches is a higher calling than baking pies for restaurants.
Martin Luther turned this notion upside down. He taught that all vocations are equal. A Christian can serve God as a farmer, a businessman, a plumber, a soldier or any honest job. Christians with faith can do good works in God’s sight. Serving God as a mother or grandmother is just as holy as joining a convent and becoming a nun.
God gives us freedom in our vocations. He doesn’t tell us exactly how to farm or fix a car. We do know what the Lord commands. He tells us to be fair and honest. To please God a Christian can be an honest businessman, accountant or factory worker. You don’t always have to be doing religious things to please God.
God uses us in our callings, in our vocations. You are where God has placed you. He works through Christians to serve our neighbors. We share God’s love and mercy with those around us. God has given you certain gifts. This is because he is gracious and merciful. The master in the parable Jesus tells gave each of the servants certain gifts. They did nothing to earn those gifts just as we are given gifts from above. When the servants invested their talents they were given much in return. They didn’t control the interest rates or how their investments would fare. They doubled the number of talents. God gives us physical and spiritual talents. He gives us abilities, money, and time. By the means of Grace He gives us spiritual gifts.
The Word and Sacraments are the means by which God brings people into His kingdom. He works through people who share the message of the Gospel with others. The Gospel needs to be proclaimed to the world. This takes gifts and abilities as well as money and energy. We should support our church but we shouldn’t depend on the pastor to do all the evangelism. The pastor’s job is to share the Word and administer the Sacraments. Pastors equip the congregation for evangelism. By hearing the Word we are given faith and power to go out and make disciples in our neighborhood. God has placed you in different situations. Where you are, that is your calling, your vocation. You have a holy calling. You are a royal priest, called to serve in your vocation. God works through you to share His love with others. Some times this takes the form of action like cleaning up after a hurricane, changing diapers or repairing tractors. Other times we share the Word by speaking it. We can comfort our friend who is mourning the loss of their spouse. We can share the reason for the hope we have.
God’s Word and Sacraments strengthen you to share that same message with others. When you do share that word with a friend or a loved one God will work through that Word. Isaiah 55:11 says: “My word . . . shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
God’s Word works and we have heard His Word. Now we are all called to work in God’s kingdom. Out of His grace and mercy He has given us all different gifts. We are called to use our gifts, time, talents and abilities for the expansion of God’s kingdom. When Jesus returns we don’t want to be caught sleeping on the job. We don’t want to be lazy or stingy with our gifts. The third servant in the parable was lazy. He refused to work. He wanted to be a part of the household but he did not want to do anything. This is like having faith without works. That kind of faith is dead. Works do not save us but they prove that our faith is living. God gives us gifts and the Holy Spirit works through us to use those gifts for the benefit of others.
USE WHAT OUR GRACIOUS GOD HAS GIVEN YOU HE HAS A GREAT REWARD IN STORE FOR YOU
This reward is based on what Jesus has done for you on the cross and through the empty tomb.
This parable should make us examine ourselves. The law of God always accuses us. We should take a hard look at how we are living our lives. We should ask ourselves, “Am I using all the gifts God has given me to the best of my ability for the furthering of God’s kingdom?” God has graciously given us all things. We should ask, “Am I giving a proper percentage of my wealth to the church, or am I being stingy.” Am I giving to the poor, Am I taking care of the less fortunate? Am I being merciful as God was merciful to me? We all have a tendency to take care of ourselves first and take care of God last. We give Him the scraps, what is left over. It should not be this way. We should give to God first, before taxes and then live on what that is left. This is what we call first fruits giving. We saw this difference in Cain and Abel. Abel gave to God first out of his heart. He acted in faith and that faith gave birth to love. Cain gave God what was left over from his harvest. He didn’t give to God first.
In our parable Jesus describes 3 servants. Each is given a different amount, just like we are all given different gifts. Some of us are poor, some of us are rich. Some of us are good at talking to other, some of us are quiet. Some of us are better at sharing the Gospel with others. Some of us are better listeners than others. We all have special gifts that can be used in service to God’s kingdom. Until the master returns we should make the most of what God has given us. We all have different gifts and a different place in the church. Together as members we make up the body of Christ.
The Holy Spirit works through the Word of God. He speaks to us and teaches us in worship and Bible class. God forgives our sins in the confession and absolution. The Spirit reminds us of our Baptism every day and renews us with new life. The Lord feeds us with His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He strengthens our faith and equips us to go out and invite our family and friends to church. We need to invite people we know to church. Tell them about your pastor, encourage them to talk to your pastor. The Day is surely drawing near. Jesus is going to return home soon. The master is coming back from His journey. When He comes back we will have to give an account. Will you be able to say, “I used your gifts for the expansion of your kingdom on earth, I cared for the sick and needy.” Or will we be like the lazy servant who went out and buried his money.
We have materiel blessings to use in support of the church. We also have something much more precious. We have been entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a life saving message to share with our neighbors. Jesus died for us on the cross. He suffered to carry the weight of our sin. Jesus was beaten and bruised. He was mocked and spit upon because He loves you. He did it all for you, for your salvation, to give you everlasting life. The bloodied body was placed into a tomb for three days. On the third day Jesus burst forth from that sealed tomb. Jesus lives and because He lives we will live. Those who believe in Christ are servants ready for the return of their master. You have been Baptized and Jesus conquered death for you. God gives us gifts and He strengthens us to use them. When we do good works it is because the Holy Spirit is working in us. Jesus has indeed risen. He gives us life eternal. This is the message we have to share as the day is surely drawing near. For those with faith in Christ the Day of the Lord is nothing to fear. It is our redemption. The Lord is coming to bring us to heaven. He gives you eternal rewards. You are rewarded for what the Lord has done. Because of Jesus He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master.”
Amen.
David Doellinger 