You wake up in the morning at around the same time, perform the morning routine, the same ritual before you head out the door to serve the world and its needs. At home, the same routine is followed, this must be done, that must be accomplished, a few moments of rest, and then it is time to retire, time to plan to fulfill the same or similar obligations tomorrow. And still you expect God to take care of you, to keep you safe, healthy, and well in mind and body, because you did what?
Perhaps uttered a quick, short prayer under your breath, gave a moments pause to something the pastor said last Sunday, how much of that sixteen hours or more of yesterday was actually spent in true prayer, quite contemplation, serious study of the Word of God, and yet you expect continuous service from the Lord. Have you even given pause to think of what He requires of you, or are you one of these individuals that is interested in being served, but not in serving.
What we take for granted we most generally end up losing, but then, we are all going to lose everything here anyway, the problem is, those who believe they have are sometimes deceiving themselves. Recall the parable of the coins, (Matt. 25:14-30) and how that one coin that was buried gained nothing for the master, how even what the foolish servant had was taken away from him. This person will say they are a Christian when asked, sometimes, they believe themselves to be followers of Christ, but they have not done so, they rise in the morning, perform the routine, and seek His face not at all. Their idea of true salvation is the same as their lives, a routine, a habit to be performed, but their hearts are far from the Lord. It is better to live a short, well lived life for Christ than a long one filled with ourselves and self-serving ambitions.
Everything you now possess, every item that you have strived for, all those you know and love, all are going to pass away, not one is eternal, save for those who have invested and used the coins wisely. The life we lead here is the life that determines our place in eternity, those who buried their coin are either not saved individuals or they are extremely unprofitable servants and will receive no reward, they have no treasure awaiting them. I have often contemplated these verses and the thoughts and intent behind them. What of those who will be ashamed at His coming, (1 John 2:28) what of those branches that are removed and cast into the fire, what of those who buried their coin. What place do these have in the kingdom of the Most High, an eternity of doorkeeper, (Psalm 84:10) the most menial and servile of tasks, what is their place, for it is surely not as those who have devoted their lives for the glory of God, those who have determined to die to self, to be crucified with Christ.
Not all of the children of God are profitable, and so if they are of no furtherance to the growth of His kingdom here, of what possible value could they be for eternity in the kingdom of God. I do not know, these thought are far too deep for me, yet I do know one thing, these individuals are out there, they are saved, but only as if by fire. (1 Cor. 3:15)
Almighty God has given every single one of His servants coins, we are expected to increase His kingdom with these gifts, not bury them, not serve the world instead of Him, we have had a task set before us, to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ to all who will listen, to lead them to the cross. This world is not our home, “For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” (1 Chronicles 29:15) I dare not say what the next world, what the eternal holds for those servants who will not serve, but I know it is not going to be what they expected.