My Morning with God - Luke 19:12-26

Mind Your Business

Faithfulness Beyond the Sanctuary

By Catherine Pickett, RN, Certified Nurse Coach

Scripture reading: Luke 19:12–26

“Occupy till I come.”

This Sunday at City Worship Center, Pastor Diggs delivered a powerful message titled “Mind Your Business.” As I reflected on the scripture, that familiar phrase took on a deeper meaning for me: Take care of what God has entrusted to you.

In Luke 19, Jesus tells of a nobleman who entrusted money to his servants before leaving to receive a kingdom. When he returned, the servants had to account for what they had done with it. Some put their resources to work. Another kept his money wrapped in a napkin, explaining that he was afraid.

The passage challenges me to ask: Am I faithfully using what God has placed in my hands, or am I keeping it wrapped up in fear?

Unwrap What You Have Been Given

Sometimes we are waiting for more while overlooking what we already have.

We have experience, skills, relationships, creativity, and opportunities to serve. Yet fear can persuade us to hide them. We worry about failing, being misunderstood, or not having everything figured out.

Faithfulness does not mean we will never feel afraid. It means we prayerfully take the next responsible step instead of allowing fear to make every decision.

That step might be completing a business plan, developing a skill, asking for guidance, or finally sharing how we can help someone.

From Worship to Working Together

After service, we had the opportunity to represent our businesses at tables in the sanctuary. People stopped to learn about what we do, ask questions, and discover ways to collaborate and support one another.

For me, those conversations were a beautiful expression of marketplace ministry.

We were not simply introducing products and services. We were getting to know the gifts and abilities within our own church family. Someone sitting a few rows away may offer the very service, knowledge, or encouragement another person needs.

Having a platform that brings us together helps those connections happen.

We can celebrate one another without competing for one another’s calling.

Support may look like making a purchase, sharing a referral, offering wise counsel, or praying for someone who is taking a difficult first step.

Our Work Can Reflect Our Worship

As a nurse, I know ministry does not happen only behind a pulpit. It can happen at a bedside, during a difficult conversation, or through a simple act of compassionate care.

The same is true in business.

Marketplace ministry means allowing our faith to shape how we work: being honest about what we offer, treating people with dignity, keeping our commitments, and serving with excellence.

This parable is not a promise that every business will become wealthy. Its challenge reaches deeper than financial success: Will we be faithful with what has been entrusted to us?

Our businesses can provide for our families and serve our communities. But people must never become merely transactions.

Today’s Reflection

What have I kept “wrapped up” because of fear?

How can my work reflect God’s character?

Whose business or calling can I encourage this week?

Today, let’s mind our business by tending faithfully to our assignments—and making room to support the people working beside us.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the gifts, abilities, and opportunities You have entrusted to us. Created me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.Forgive us for the times we have allowed fear, comparison, or procrastination to keep us from serving. Give us wisdom to work responsibly, courage to begin, and integrity to honor You in every interaction. Bless the connections being formed at City Worship Center. Help us build relationships that strengthen families, support businesses, and serve our community. May our work reflect our worship. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What is one faithful step you can take with what God has placed in your hands?