About Our Father’s Business

In speaking of his return, Jesus said, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:44). The word "watch" also could be translated, "be on the alert." It means we should be continually expectant.

Jesus went on to say, "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing" (verses 45–46).

So what are we supposed to be doing as we await the return of Christ? We are to be faithful and wise servants, doing the will of God. God has given each of us a precious thing called life. And with that, He has given us our time, our resources, our talents, our gifts, our friends, and all that we have. We are to leverage what God has given us for His glory, living godly lives, and seeking to reach others with the message of the gospel. The faithful believer will be walking with and serving God as he or she awaits Christ’s return.

In short, we are to be about our Father’s business. And if we are faithful to Him, He promises a reward. Jesus said of the faithful servant, "Assuredly, I say to you that [his master] will make him ruler over all his goods" (verse 47).

A lot of the time, we only think of the here and now, when God thinks of the hereafter. Life is not simply this time on earth before we die; it continues on. And what we do then is connected to how we live now.

So what we want to focus on is just being faithful to the Lord right now. Because the Lord is coming back again. And it could happen at any moment.