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 (meaning Christ!), and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” Luke 19:13-14 KJV (my emphasis).
The definition of the word “Occupy” or “pragmateuomai” in verse 13, means “to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade,” and from the word “pragma” meaning “business, matter, thing, work” (see “Occupy” in The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Thomas Nelson Publishers).
So looking at both verses, the question is, is it so that when one is commissioned by God to do an actual business to enhance the kingdom of God on earth, why is it that that person is despised by the world for doing so?
Further on in this scripture, Jesus continues telling the parable of the servants (some of “his ten servants” — Luke 19:13 KJV) who invested their pound and gained more pounds, except for the one who hid his pound and did not invest it (a hidden pound is a waste of time and money!), i.e., “For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have (who does not invest), even what he has will be taken away from him.” — Luke 19:26 NKJV (my emphasis).
As we have seen, there are many persecutions against Christians worldwide for promoting in their businesses the cause for the spreading of the Gospel (“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV, also “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” — Luke 24:47 — NKJV). Also, the cause for feeding, clothing, as well as “empowering” the poor (“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'” — Matthew 25:37-40 NKJV). In addition, the cause for educating young girls and boys worldwide, and especially in our nation’s public schools, and simply helping where there is a need.
We all know that to help others is the right thing to do for all people. However there are those who do not choose to enhance the kingdom of God with their money, even in tithing and giving offerings.
I, for one, cannot wrap my mind around the thought and fact of anyone being against helping others until I remember the fact that Satan is “the thief [who] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” all that Christians thrive for in their businesses in helping others (verse from John 10:10a — NKJV).
But praise be to God that Jesus comes “that they might have life (“life” or “psuche” meaning breath, spirit, vitality, heart, mind, soul), and that they might have it more abundantly.” (“abundantly” or “perissos” meaning “beyond measure,” — see Strong’s), (John 10:10b — KJV).
We need Jesus to have “life” or “vitality” or the “life” that Jesus offers (“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6 NKJV) in our lives to carry out the monetary goodness through our giving through our businesses and thus through one facet of the true meaning of the kingdom of God across the face of the earth (“‘Do business till I come.'” — Luke 19:13 NKJV).
God Bless You All!
Brenda A. McGee has attended New York Theological Seminary in New York, NY, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA as a Master of Divinity student.