Dr. Jay Snell Newsletter

Occupy and Receive
God's Rewards

Occupy and Receive God's Rewards

The word, occupy, in the Scriptures below conveys a very timely concept to us. "Occupy" means to trade, to do business. It means to keep on keeping on doing what you always do to make a living, make a profit and/or make a deal. What ever you do to make your way in this world, keep on doing it.

Luke 19:12 KJV He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Luke 19:13 KJV And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

The context of these two verses is simple. The nobleman went away on business; but before he left, he gave ten pounds to his ten servants and told them to occupy till I come back.

His intent was to reward them for their diligence to occupying (trading) while he was absent.

When he returned, he called them one by one to enquire how much profit they had made him on his ten pounds while he was gone. His intent was to reward them for their diligence to occupying (trading) while he was absent.

One gave him back ten pounds. He was given one pound but he returned ten pounds. Quite a profit. The nobleman rewarded him with the rule over ten cities. Quite a reward.

Luke 19:17 KJV And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Another one gave him back five pounds. This was also good stewardship of the one pound the nobleman gave him.

Luke 19:18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

Luke 19:19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

Take it away from the unprofitable servant and give it to him that had done the best job, the ten talent man.

But one servant had earned him nothing. The nobleman was very angry and said for them to take away the one talent and give it to him that had done the best job, the ten talent man.

Luke 19:26 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.

This is very timely for us here today. We are seeing things come together that spell out this great fact: Jesus may come at any time. He will come in the lifetime of most of us.

But while He is gone and we are waiting for him to return, what are we going to do with ourselves? Are we going to flee, head for the hills, look up to see if he is there yet and do nothing?

Not hardly! We must occupy while He is gone so we can get rewards while we are still here on this earth.

Here are some faith promise Scriptures concerning rewards for occupying Christians. They cover rewards for giving alms, for receiving a prophet, receiving a righteous man, giving children water to drink and loving your enemies.

Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Mat 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

1Ti 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

The labourer who continues to occupy is worthy of his/her reward.