Working or Wasting?

“He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster” (Proverbs 18:9).  “Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Matthew 24:44-46).

The day is approaching when Christ shall return: 

The trumpet shall sound, and we’ll hear our Lord’s voice.
Though mockers still mock and the arrogant spurn,
They’re wasting their time, but they’re given that choice.

The choices we have, in the simplest of terms,

Are found in the way that we spend precious time
For either the things that are fed to the worms
Or things that the Lord will commend as sublime. 

May God find us faithfully serving and wise,

Attending to things that He told us to do,
That we may be pleasing in His holy eyes,
Aware that our days here are precious and few.

The Lord gave us gifts that He put in our power

To use for His glory and care for His sheep,
So how shall we answer our Lord in that hour
When we should be working, if we’re found asleep?

We ought to invest in the things that will last

And wisely be working to see our Lord smile. 
Our days here are fleeting, they soon will be passed;
May we be redeeming the time without guile. 

O Lord, we give thanks for the gifts that You give

With which we may fruitfully serve You today. 
We would not be slothful, but heartily live
By grace which has saved us, thus put on display. 

We thank You, O Lord, for this honor You gave,

Which we understand does not earn our salvation,
But demonstrates rather that those whom You save
Are living examples of Your new creation.