OCCUPY TILL I COME: THE MASTER CHARGED UNTIL HE RETURNS!
“And He CALLED His ten servants, and DELIVERED them ten pounds, and SAID unto them, OCCUPY TILL I COME” Luke 19:13.
“So He CALLED ten of His servants, and GAVE them ten minas [one apiece, each equal to about a hundred days’ wages] and SAID to them, ‘DO BUSINESS [WITH THIS] UNTIL I RETURN” Luke 19:13/Amplified.
“So He CALLED ten of His servants, DELIVERED to them ten minas, and SAID to them, ‘DO BUSINESS TILL I COME” Luke 19:13/NKJV.
TO OCCUPY TILL I COME — otherwise put, TO DO KINGDOM BUSINESS — indicates a COMMAND, CHARGE, MANDATE, ASSIGNMENT and COMMISSION to be carried out.
And it must be noted that the command, charge, assignment and commission of God in Christ Jesus to every Believer is not an advice at all.
For God will only COMMEND what He COMMANDS.
And His command is according to the BESTOWMENT of grace that He has given, poured out, showed and lavished upon a person or group of persons respectively.
“And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a DUTY] for Me to be in My Father’s HOUSE and [OCCUPIED] about My Father’s BUSINESS?” Luke 2:49/Amplified Classic Edition.
For where there is God’s enabling POWER and such endowments of GRACE, therein is the PURPOSE for it.
God does not give PURPOSE without enabling POWER,
neither does He give enabling POWER without the PURPOSE for it to be accomplished meaningfully and graciously.
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all FILLED with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke THE WORD of God with BOLDNESS . . . 33 And with GREAT POWER the apostles GAVE WITNESS to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And GREAT GRACE was upon them all” Acts 4:31, 33.
“And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to those who LOVE God, to those who are the CALLED according to His PURPOSE” Romans 8:28/NKJV.
“In Him also we have OBTAINED an inheritance, being PREDESTINED according to the PURPOSE of Him who works all things according to the COUNSEL of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” Ephesians 1:11-12.
And God, in placing an order and demanding that any concept of a thing be done, means there is already a sufficient and sufficiency of the supply of enabling grace to do what it will take to make the demands fulfilled accordingly.
God’s driven purpose in making us fulfil meaningfully the charge placed on us — “OCCUPY TILL I COME” — is that we might be able to enact who we ARE in Him.
And that is:
- To be Earthly Useful and Heavenly Minded.
- To be More Than Conquerors.
- To Succeed, Triumph, be Victorious and have Dominion.
- To Thrive and be Colourful and not merely Survive.
- And to become COMPLETE and more, in our REDEMPTION rights and privileges in Christ Jesus.
The wisdom for today concerning the essence above is this:
Living a colourful and thriving life is gracious, graceful and lovely, but it is not a giveaway. Hence it is not cheap, and it is not for the lazy, the sluggard or idlers.
Therefore there is the need to “OCCUPY TILL I COME” as mandated, charged, commissioned and commanded by our Saviour and Lord Christ Jesus, with God’s given basic RESOURCES for doing life, which are:
- Time
- Effort
- Finance
- Material
- People
And ensuring that these named resources above are being fully and meaningfully utilised is vital. That means one must follow appropriately and uprightly the utilisation of them, for the reality and tangibility of the PLAN, PURPOSE and PURSUIT of the charged mandate — “OCCUPY TILL I COME.”
And knowing that ‘You ARE of God’ and ‘You ARE BELOVED of God’ should make you steadily and readily able to succeed, triumph, win, overcome and be a victor in life and godliness while you — OCCUPY TILL HE COMES.
And knowing that what makes a colourful and thriving life accessible, liveable, lovable, reachable and applicable is because the Greater One lives in you also.
“You ARE of God, little children, and have OVERCOME them, because He who is IN you is GREATER than he who is IN the world. 5 They ARE of the world. Therefore they SPEAK as of the world, and the world HEARS them. 6 We ARE of God. He who KNOWS God HEARS us; he who is NOT of God DOES NOT HEAR us. By this we KNOW the spirit of TRUTH and the spirit of ERROR” 1 John 4:4-6/NKJV.
Therefore, to ensure and enact the essence of the charge to “OCCUPY TILL I COME”, it is very much imperative that the God-given resources in Christ Jesus for us to do life and live godly become effectual.
These are: TIME, EFFORT, FINANCE, MATERIAL and PEOPLE [PERSONNEL].
We must ensure that they count and account for our good and goodness, as given.
Suffice it to know that in real-life definition, SUCCESS IS FAILURE TURNED INSIDE OUT — which is the result of one respecting the opportunity to diligently and prudently utilise one’s given resources in principle, responsibility and accountability.
And by ensuring this, you can become what you desire to be if you walk in wisdom with your God-given resources in your day-to-day plan, purpose and pursuit, irrespective of the challenges that come in doing LIFE and living GODLY in Christ Jesus’ stead.
“Grace and PEACE be MULTIPLIED to you in the KNOWLEDGE of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His DIVINE POWER has GIVEN to us ALL THINGS that PERTAIN to LIFE and GODLINESS, through the KNOWLEDGE of Him who CALLED us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been GIVEN to us exceedingly great and PRECIOUS PROMISES, that through these you may be PARTAKERS of the DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” 2 Peter 1:3-4/NKJV.
It is on this platform — knowing what has been given to us for one to ‘OCCUPY TILL I COME’ — that one can be driven toward being EARTHLY USEFUL and HEAVENLY MINDED, as scripturally mandated.
More so, to live and ensure and enact the being of MORE THAN CONQUERORS;
and to live a COLOURFUL and THRIVING life, instead of being one who is merely SURVIVING — wanting to go to heaven so quickly in order to avoid and do away with life’s challenges.
Some adopt this out of self-pity and as an escape route, supposedly.
In a nutshell, the month of October, as themed, could be characterised — but not limited — under these headings:
- You are called to ‘OCCUPY TILL I COME’ — in order for you to be EARTHLY USEFUL and HEAVENLY MINDED — and not to be one who is hurrying for an escape route from the life principle of responsibility and accountability due to trials, challenges, circumstances and such like. As it is written:
“And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they THOUGHT that the kingdom of God should IMMEDIATELY APPEAR. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he CALLED his ten servants, and DELIVERED them ten pounds, and SAID unto them, OCCUPY TILL I COME . .” Luke 19:11-13
- You are CREATED and MANDATED to BE FRUITFUL, to MULTIPLY, to REPLENISH, to SUBDUE and to HAVE DOMINION — to LIVE and REIGN IN DOMINION in the earth.
FOR THE EARTH IS MADE FOR MAN AND NOT MAN FOR THE EARTH.
This is very important to be known.
“And God said, Let us MAKE man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God CREATED man in his own image, in the image of God CREATED he him; male and female CREATED he them. 28 And God BLESSED them, and God SAID unto them, Be FRUITFUL, and MULTIPLY, and REPLENISH the earth, and SUBDUE it: and have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” Genesis 1:26-28.
- You are LOVED and CALLED to live — A MORE THAN CONQUEROR with ease, as your rights and privileges in Christ Jesus in REDEMPTION.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the CALLED according to his PURPOSE . 37 Nay, in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him that LOVED us” Romans 8:28, 37.
- You are CALLED and ASSURED to live VICTORIOUSLY in Redemption, as your rights and privileges in Christ Jesus.
“But thanks be to God, which GIVETH us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 15:57.
- You are CALLED and CAUSED to live always in TRIUMPH in Christ Jesus, thereby manifesting the exquisite fragrance of His KNOWLEDGE in us.
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to TRIUMPH in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” 2 Corinthians 2:14.
- You are CALLED and REDEEMED to live and reign in DOMINION over sin and its effects — POVERTY, SICKNESS and SPIRITUAL DEATH. Hallelujah!
“For SIN shall not have DOMINION over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” Romans 6:14.
“For he hath MADE him to be SIN for us, who KNEW NO SIN; that we might be MADE the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
I pray you are BLESSED in God’s BLESSEDNESS in Christ Jesus.
Meaning: to be empowered to succeed, triumph, and be victorious and in dominion and more than conquerors, as you adhere to Christ Jesus’ mandate, charge, commission and command to us — “OCCUPY TILL I COME” — by being EARTHLY USEFUL and HEAVENLY MINDED, as we await His return.
Amen!
FURTHER SCRIPTURAL THOUGHT WORTH READING AND PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, OCCUPY TILL I COME. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me” Luke 19:11-27.
“THE EARTH is the Lord’s, and the FULNESS thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” Psalms 24:1.
“What is man, that thou art MINDFUL of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou MADEST him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas” Psalms 8:4-8.
“Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 12 I have MADE THE EARTH, and CREATED man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts” Isaiah 45:11-13.
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but THE EARTH hath he GIVEN to the children of men. 17 The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence. 18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord” Psalms 115:16-18.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God CREATED man in his own image, in the image of God CREATED he him; male and female CREATED he them. 28 And God BLESSED them, and God SAID unto them, Be FRUITFUL, and MULTIPLY, and REPLENISH the earth, and SUBDUE it: and have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” Genesis 1:26-28.
SUMMARY
The message is a Kingdom charge and mandate for every Believer to OCCUPY TILL CHRIST RETURNS by living EARTHLY USEFUL and HEAVENLY MINDED, using God-given resources of grace, power and purpose to reign, thrive and fulfil divine purpose in the earth.
KEY POINTS
- THE MANDATE: OCCUPY TILL I COME
Luke 19:13 is not a suggestion, it is a COMMAND. To occupy means to be actively engaged in Kingdom business until Jesus returns.
Jesus Himself was occupied about His Father’s business from childhood — Luke 2:49.
Occupation involves trading, investing, multiplying and producing results with what God has delivered into your hands.
There will be accountability when He returns — Luke 19:15-17. Faithfulness now determines authority later. - POWER + PURPOSE + GRACE WORK TOGETHER
God never separates enablement from assignment. Where there is His enabling POWER and endowments of GRACE, there is PURPOSE for it.
When they prayed, they were FILLED and spoke the Word with BOLDNESS, and GREAT GRACE was upon them all — Acts 4:31, 33.
You were PREDESTINED according to His PURPOSE — Ephesians 1:11-12.
ALL THINGS work together for good to those who are the CALLED according to His PURPOSE — Romans 8:28.
Meaning: No demand from God comes without supply. Grace is already provided to fulfil the demand. - OUR IDENTITY IN REDEMPTION
This is who you ARE in Christ Jesus:
- Earthly Useful and Heavenly Minded: Relevant on earth, focused on heaven — Colossians 3:1-2
- More Than Conquerors — Romans 8:37: You do not just win, you overwhelm
- Victorious — 1 Corinthians 15:57: Victory is given, not struggled for
- Triumphant — 2 Corinthians 2:14: Always led in triumph, manifesting His savour
- Living in Dominion — Romans 6:14: Sin, poverty, sickness and spiritual death have no dominion over you
- Made the Righteousness of God — 2 Corinthians 5:21: This is your legal standing to reign
- OUR ORIGINAL MANDATE: DOMINION MANDATE
From creation, God said: Be FRUITFUL, MULTIPLY, REPLENISH, SUBDUE and HAVE DOMINION — Genesis 1:26-28.
Man was crowned with glory and honour and made to have dominion over the works of God’s hands — Psalms 8:4-8.
The EARTH hath He GIVEN to the children of men — Psalms 115:16.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof…” — Psalms 24:1
God made the earth and created man upon it to build, to govern, and to let the captives go — Isaiah 45:11-13.
You are God’s ambassador on earth — 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
- THE 5 RESOURCES FOR OCCUPATION
To fulfil “OCCUPY TILL I COME”, God has given you:
TIME, EFFORT, FINANCE, MATERIAL, PEOPLE [PERSONNEL]
These are not yours. They are God’s investment in you.
Utilisation must be diligent, prudent, principled and accountable.
Success is failure turned inside out. It is the result of respecting opportunity and stewarding resources well.
Audit them regularly. Are they producing increase? Are they counting for the PLAN, PURPOSE and PURSUIT?
- MINDSET SHIFT: FROM SURVIVAL TO THRIVING
Refuse the escape mentality. Some want to go to heaven quickly to avoid life’s challenges. That is not Kingdom.
You are called to a COLOURFUL and THRIVING life, not mere survival.
This life is gracious, graceful and lovely, but it is not a giveaway. It is not cheap, and it is not for the lazy, the sluggard or idlers.
Choose to enact who you ARE: Earthly Useful, More Than Conqueror, Victorious, Dominant, Complete in Christ.
- THE ASSURANCE: GREATER ONE IN YOU
“You ARE of God, little children, and have OVERCOME them, because He who is IN you is GREATER than he who is IN the world” — 1 John 4:4-6.
Grace and PEACE be MULTIPLIED to you in the KNOWLEDGE of God — 2 Peter 1:3-4.
His DIVINE POWER has GIVEN to us ALL THINGS that PERTAIN to LIFE and GODLINESS.
You are LOVED, CALLED, BLESSED and EMPOWERED. The Greater One in you makes a thriving life accessible, liveable and applicable.
CALL TO ACTION
- RECEIVE THE CHARGE PERSONALLY
Say it out loud today: “I will OCCUPY TILL HE COMES.”
Stop waiting for escape. Start engaging purpose. Kingdom business is your duty, not your option.
- CONDUCT A RESOURCE AUDIT THIS OCTOBER
Set aside time weekly to ask:
- How is my TIME invested? Is it producing Kingdom results?
- Where is my EFFORT directed? Am I diligent or distracted?
- How is my FINANCE deployed? Is it funding purpose?
- What MATERIAL resources do I have? Am I using them or hiding them?
- Who are my PEOPLE? Am I raising, equipping and deploying them?
Write it down. Be accountable. What is measured is what grows.
- DECLARE AND WALK IN YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS DAILY
Morning confession:
“I am a More Than Conqueror. I am Victorious. I am Triumphant. I reign in Dominion. Greater is He that is in me” — 1 John 4:4.
Speak it until it becomes your default mindset and lifestyle.
- BE EARTHLY USEFUL AND HEAVENLY MINDED IN PRACTICAL WAYS
- Be fruitful in your family, career and ministry
- Multiply influence by discipleship and mentoring
- Replenish systems that are dry
- Subdue challenges by faith and wisdom
- Exercise dominion in your sphere — Genesis 1:28
Do not be idle. Produce something this month.
- AWAIT HIS RETURN WITH INCREASE
Trade with your “pounds” — Luke 19:13.
Let there be measurable gain when He asks for account — Luke 19:15-16.
Remember: to whom much is given, much will be required. Faithfulness in little leads to authority over much.
Final Charge:
You are LOVED, CALLED, REDEEMED and EMPOWERED.
The grace is sufficient. The power is available. The purpose is clear.
The resources are in your hands.
DO NOT SURVIVE. OCCUPY. THRIVE. REIGN. TILL HE COMES! Amen!
REV. CHUKIE MORSI