God invested in you!

Knysna and the garden route are international tourist destinations. Big and small enterprises both depend mostly on local and international tourism for economic survival.

In this environment the global economic slowdown is a lot more visible than at home. During previous visits more people spoke other languages at tourist destinations than English, Afrikaans and Xhosa. German speakers favour this destination and businesses are focussed on providing for the German speaking market.
But, where have all the tourists gone? They stay home as a result of the economic slow down in Europe.
What is really sad, is that it is obvious that the small local enterprises find it harder to survive. Big conglomerates hang on, holding their breath, while waiting for the market to be revived. The small guy may not last that long. The result is that the small number of customers that do visit the Garden Route at the moment, are more often not serviced by local entrepreneurs, and utilise the offer of the corporate sector which is stronger in marketing and sales skills.

During this time of economic woes, one cannot help to remember the words of Jesus when he used financial investment as an example of our calling to make the most of what God invested in our lives. This is the parable about the 10 servants who each received one mina, a valuable coin, to invest for their master. Some earned 10 and 5 minas more. One man kept it laid away in a cloth. The master’s investment did not earn any interest in his case.
About this man, Jesus said: (Luke 19: 26) "'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away”.

In this parable a servant is punished, because he did nothing with the treasure he was given.
This servant represents the people who received the gospel message and God’s blessings and it has not changed them even one little bit!
And they have not shared God’s investment in their lives with others and did not use their blessings to expand the Kingdom of God. Their shareholding in God’s work remains vulnerable and without dividend and when the day of judgement comes, they will not hear the Master’s word of approval. For those who earned Christ no interest on his investment in their lives, the judgement day is a daunting prospect.

But to those who made the most of God’s investment in their lives, will also be given the share of the unfaithful servants – their share of eternal glory. Those who truly work with the Big Entrepreneur of the Kingdom of God, those who use their given salvation, spiritual gifts, church membership, Bible knowledge, access to God’s throne in prayer and ability to give to advance the Kingdom of Christ, will certainly hear the Master say: Well done good and faithful servant. They have been changed into godly entrepreneurs by God’s work of grace.

Christ has invested his life, his death, his blood, his power and his Spirit in you!
What interest has he received through your life, your service and your witness?

Be blessed when you are changed by God’s goodness and grace into someone who is making the most of every opportunity given to you in Christ’s cause on earth. When the last day comes, you will remain standing and you will be given Christ’s glory for all eternity!