Right Now

Today we have Curtis Biswell, New City's Worship Arts pastor, as our guest blogger.  Let's begin with a story Jesus told that is recorded in Matthew 24.

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.  19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’  21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’  22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’  23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’  24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’  26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.  28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Many of you probably have heard my story of how Val and I came to New City. It started with a conversation that I will always remember with Pastor Matt one afternoon at Starbucks. I had guest led the worship one Sunday and Matt wanted to hear my story the week after. The Sunday I guest led is one I will never forget!  On that Sunday, 10 minuets before the service, the sound went out and we had to do a last minute acoustic service. It was stressful to say the least but it led to a great conversation with Matt.  

At the time, Valerie and I were pursuing God’s call into full time ministry and we thought He was going to land us somewhere in a matter of weeks. Those weeks turned into months and nothing seemed to be working out.  During my conversation with Matt, he challenged  me to serve and use my talent while I wanted for God to provide.  So we started attending New City without any expectation of staff opportunities. Then, almost a year later, I came on staff as the Pastor of Worship Arts. 

Let’s look at the above scripture. In all three accounts, the servants were given talents. Two of them used them and were able to produce more. The third servant sat on his and did nothing. Therefore the master took what he still had and gave the talents away.

The bottom line is God has given us all talents, gifts, or treasures. The choice is left up to us what we will do with them. I urge you not to wait or sit on what He has given you. We can be generous right now. This isn’t a “give to get,” message, this is a, “give because we have been given” message.  So while you wait of you next opportunity, make sure you don't waste.  

Blessings,
Pastor Curtis