“And He called His ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13, KJV)
I welcome you to the second month of the year of “The God of All Flesh” (Jeremiah 32:27). During the chaos in Jerusalem caused by the Babylonian invasion, God instructed Jeremiah to buy land (Jeremiah 32:6-7). Similarly, there is chaos everywhere in the present day (Isaiah 40:3), yet God’s instruction to occupy until I come remains unchanged.
The parable of the ten minas in Luke 19 stands as a cornerstone of Jesus’ teaching on Kingdom stewardship. In this story, a nobleman – representing Christ – prepares to depart for a distant country to receive His Kingship. Before leaving, He entrusts ten servants with ten minas each (a mina is roughly three months’ wages). Concurrently, He issues a single, potent command, “Occupy till I come,” to each of them. This is most certainly not a lullaby to be passive and complacent. It is a call to courageous, disciplined action: a battle cry against spiritual complacency and a plan for holy endeavors.
Luke 19:13 (KJV) records Jesus’ charge. To “occupy” means to take possession of the time, place, and the gifts God has entrusted to you, and to use them faithfully until the King arrives. In the parable, this meant faithful, active stewardship of what the King entrusts to His servants during His absence. Drawing from that mandate, and staying consistent with Kingdom strategy, here are seven strategic points for believers as we await the Master’s return:
1. Faithful Stewardship of Kingdom Resources
- Believers are entrusted with gifts, time, opportunities, and influence. To “occupy” is to put these to work for God’s purposes, not to bury them (Luke 19:15–16; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:21).
- Strategy: Invest your gifts in ministry, service, and Kingdom advancement.
2. Kingdom Expansion through Personal Witness and Discipleship
- Occupation implies territorial influence, spreading the reign of Christ through the gospel (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
- Strategy: Evangelize, disciple, and mentor others in Christlike living.
3. Upholding Righteousness and Godly Values
- Believers are called to be moral and spiritual salt and light in a corrupt world (Matthew 5:13–16; Romans 12:2; Proverbs 14:34).
- Strategy: Live out biblical truth in personal conduct, family life, and society.
4. Spiritual Warfare and Vigilance
- Occupation takes place in contested territory. The believer must stand firm against spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:11–18; 1 Peter 5:8–9; 2 Corinthians 10:3–5).
- Strategy: Maintain a prayer-life, holiness, and discernment against deception and compromise.
5. Service and Compassion to Humanity
- Kingdom occupation includes demonstrating Christ’s love through practical care for others (Matthew 25:35–40; Galatians 6:10; James 1:27
- Strategy: Serve the poor, oppressed, sick, and vulnerable as representatives of Christ.
6. Perseverance and Endurance in Faith
- Faithful occupation requires steadfastness despite delay, opposition, or suffering (Luke 21:19; Hebrews 10:36; Revelation 2:10).
- Strategy: Remain faithful, obedient, and hopeful until the King returns.
7. Expectation of and Accountability to the Returning King
- Occupation is done with the awareness that Christ will return to evaluate our stewardship (Luke 19:15; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
- Strategy: Live daily with eternity in view, ready to give an account with joy.
The Soldier’s Arsenal of Weapons for Enforcement
The Bible equips you with your spiritual arsenal, the instruments by which you press heaven’s advantage on earth.
- The Name of Jesus: The authority above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). The Name is the command authority that releases heaven’s jurisdiction in binding and losing.
- The Blood of Christ – the covenant covering and protection we possess (Revelation 12:11). The Blood secures our access to God and shields us from accusations.
- The Weapon of Praise – a spiritual implement that changes the atmosphere (Psalms 149:6-9). Praise breaks regimes of darkness and unlocks divine strategy.
- The Power of Testimony – personal witness that exposes lies and vindicates truth (Revelation 12:11). Sharing what God has done in your life disarms the accuser.
- The Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God, the living and active truth (Ephesians 6:17). Scripture is both drill and sword – read it, memorize it, wield it (Hebrews 4:12).
Summary
To “occupy till I come” is not passive waiting but active kingdom engagement—advancing Christ’s rule in every sphere of life until He returns as King. Believers are soldiers, stewards, and ambassadors, faithfully holding ground for the Master. Now, let the work begin. As D.L. Moody urged: “Let us go forth and proclaim the Gospel, not as if we were apologizing for it, but as if we were heralding a King.”
I want to thank Maj. Gen. Pat Akem-Vingir (rtd.), who gave me his book titled “Occupy till I come,” when I went to his church, RCCG Jesus House, Abuja. I have read the book, and this is my synopsis. You will continue to be a blessing to your generation, in Jesus’ Name.
PRAYERS:
- Thank You, LORD, for Your amazing grace. Make Your grace sufficient for me, in Jesus’ Name (1 Peter 5:10).
- Thank You for making me an ambassador, laboring and working as a bearer of Good News, an eyewitness, a testifier, an evangelist, and a corroborator through Jesus Christ.
- LORD, help me to be a faithful, dedicated, committed, and obedient laborer in Your vineyard (1 Corinthians 4:2).
- I command the spirits of unfaithfulness, quarreling, immoralities, infirmities, disagreement, misunderstanding, and intolerance to lose their grips upon the church, in the Name of Jesus.
- Father, let there be a continuous increase of Your Word, fresh from all our altars, leading to the supernatural growth of the church, in Jesus’ Name (Acts 6:7).
- Father, I receive a heart for God and His kingdom (1 Samuel 10:9).
- Father LORD, fill me afresh with Your fire, in the Name of Jesus.
