Enlargement

The world has a different message than the Holy Spirit. This may seem obvious, however, at times the message of the world seems to make sense to followers of Jesus. For instance, there are a lot of demands on us all, and this creates stress. It seems wise to set priorities and simplify our lives so that we can give a quality effort to those things that are the most important. The world’s message is to simplify and not worry, and to enjoy ourselves. Even research underscores the need to be happy, for the body will self-destruct under a stressful life-style. Therefore, a busy life style is one most gladly shed.

God is not against happiness, and scripture tell us that we are not to worry (Mt 6:25). When talking to Martha, Jesus said she was “worried and upset over many things” because she fretted over the work she was doing (Lk 10:41). Though it is clear we should not worry, how do we discern between following the way of the world, and the way of the Holy Spirit in such matters as simplifying our lives? As always, we can judge a tree by its fruit. The consequences of following worldly advice will not bear the fruit of following Jesus. You see, those whose pleasure is of the world see things from a different viewpoint (1 Jn 4:5), therefore their ways are going to be different than God’s ways.

The basis of our faith is in the Word of God and His Spirit, testifying within us. Therefore, if we see ourselves following a different path than one stated in the Word and illustrated by the Spirit, we may be in error. Regarding simplifying our lives, we do not read parables where faithful servants have their lives diminished, but rather we read of enlargement. Our faithfulness, though dotted with the discouragements of this life, would not be rewarded by being diminished.

Jesus told a parable of a man giving his servants talents to use while he was away. When he returned he rewarded each servant’s faithfulness with being in charge of more responsibility. He set them over cities, to rule on his behalf (Lk 19:16 - 19). In Matthew’s account of this parable he adds “Come and share your master’s happiness” (Mt 25:21). In the parable of the faithful servant, the master put one servant in charge of the others while he is away, to give them their food allowance at the proper time. When the master returned, he put the faithful servant in charge of all his possessions (Lk 12:42-44). These are examples of the Lord expanding servants who are faithful, and not diminishing them.

Responsibilities beget responsibilities. But, at times, we want blessing instead of more responsibilities. We picture our reward as having access to all God’s household for our happiness. We see cities as places to enjoy ourselves and have fun traveling to. We are looking at an outward expansion which takes in the world instead of an inward expansion that holds the glory of God in all we do. The message of the world, to simplify, and the seeming wisdom to retire from hard work and enjoy our life are all the justification we may need to diminish our service to the Lord, and to our fellow man.

The unfaithful servants in both parables failed to see that their responsibilities would enlarge them inside. If they had loved doing their master’s business they would have seen tremendous growth taking place inside of them. One servant must have realized there was more work to do for his master, for he hid his talent (Lk 19:20-21). He didn’t invest in the work the master gave him because he didn’t want what the master wanted. As a servant of God, he didn’t see that God wanted to mold him into a type of Himself, overseeing people, lands and many other things. Perhaps he wanted earthly reward . . . we aren’t told why the servant thought that God was unfair.

In the second parable the unfaithful servant also failed to see his master’s plan. The servant eventually resented being the one left in charge. In making the servant responsible for His servants, God was giving him a space to grow in caring about his fellow servants the way He did. This assignment was to enlarge the servant’s heart, making it full of love like God’s heart. However, the servant wanted life on his own terms and did not learn to care about God’s people, but grew resentful of their needs and abused them (Lk 12:45-46).

We will not know what we are capable of doing if we feel God is unfair in what He asks us to do. And we will not like His work if the rewards we seek are for our worldly gain. Yet if we love and faithfully serve God, His enlargement of us on the inside will enable us to do all we are called to do in this life. You see, by growing in God’s nature, the things that are not part of God’s nature, such as stress and worry, will be replaced by trust and faith. By giving us responsibilities God is inviting us to become like Him. As we let Him carry the works He invites us into, we find His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mt 11:28-30). God has already simplified our lives by carrying the load with us. And God has provided us with happiness by inviting us into His. Amen.