Last month, I shared in my article on bearing more fruits of the Holy Spirit. A certain nobleman went into a far country and gave his ten servants each one pound before he left. The nobleman’s message to his servants was simple: Occupy till I come. When the nobleman returned, he enquired about the much each servant had gained by trading. There are some who take the view that this one pound of money represents the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer, seeing that all the servants have one pound each, and that all believers are indwelt by the same Spirit. 

There are others who hold the view that the pound refers to the gift that has been given to the believer. All believers are given the gift – “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). All believers will receive one pound of which, by the grace of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit, used the gift to minister to others. It also means that by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, every believer must endeavour to live a sanctified life, growing in the Spirit to become a mature Christian. 

When the Lord returns, we as His servants must be answerable to Him, giving an account of how we occupied during His absence. If we are found faithful, the Lord shall bless us bountifully. This reward, of course, must be earned through sustained efforts of prayer, preparation and action. 

We are saved by grace through faith; and this salvation is the gift of God which is sufficient for all people. We as believers are commanded to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matt 28:19), spreading the Gospel to those who are still outside the door of salvation till the Lord returns. We have to obey this command to occupy till our Lord comes. The Lord does not expect each of us to all return a profit of ten pounds, but we are all to occupy faithfully to the best of our talents and abilities.  After many years as a believer, are we still like infants drinking milk and unable to take in solid food? This is not unlike the servant, described in the scripture who returned his one pound which he “have kept laid up in a napkin”. At the very least, this servant could have deposited his one pound and earned some interests from it. Little wonder this servant was reprimanded by the master. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished this salvation for us, and whosoever believes in Him is saved. Let us examine ourselves. Should we not all work hard to gain ten pounds or five pounds to repay our Lord for His gift? The Lord will surely grant us strength sufficient to accomplish the work we need to do. As such, let us all occupy ourselves faithfully. Do not remain spiritually stagnant.

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