The Tragedy Of a Wasted Life

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).

A sad old man dying of cancer told a pastor friend this tragic story: "Years ago in Sweden, God called me to preach-to this I agreed, if He would enable me to sell my farm. The very next day a man made me an offer, but I hesitated, telling him to return tomorrow. "After prayer, I promised God that I would preach if the buyer would agree to take my job as Sunday School superintendent. The man said, "That is the very chance I have wanted." He paid me for the farm; but, rather than using the money to prepare for the ministry, I went to America.

"The first year in America, my wife died, leaving me with five children. Very soon after that, my oldest daughter died. Still I would not surrender to God's will. I preached a little on the side, but did not obey God in giving my full time. I lost a good business, got backrupt and left town." "Then I went into the hardware business and prospered for a time, but one of my sons who assisted me in the work began a systematic robbery of the till. Again I was forced into being backrupt."

"These things did not come upon me accidentally. They were the hand of God. Now I am dying of cancer-I have only three months to live." Weeping he said, "I know I am saved, but, oh, the loss! I will soon be ushered into HIS presence to give account of a life of disobedience." What a tragedy! Wasted time, talents, treasure and testimony.

Wasted Time

Think of the many years this man wasted. Lost time is gone forever. Life is too short to be frittered away on self. It isn't how long you live but how you live that really counts. At the Judgement Seat of Christ we will give account of precious time squandered in the rebellion against God's will.

Wasted Talents

It isn't the number of talents you possess but your use of them that counts. You can shamefully waste them in sin, foolishly let them die under the rubbish of little petty things that eat up your valuable time and attention or wisely develop them for God's glory and service. "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). What right have you to misuse God-given talents, gifts and abilities rather that to use them to produce fruit and testimony for your Lord?

Wasted Treasure

Full surrender includes the purse. God entrusted you with money that you might know the joy of using it to spread the Gospel to the heathen, evangelize world-wide through the printed page, aid struggling preachers and Christian workers, relieve poverty-stricken suffering saints and in many other ways support God's work. The liberal soul enjoys a thrill that the stingy, close-fisted, religious tightwad knows nothing about. If all God's children would place their treasure at the wounded feet of their living Lord, every phase of Gospel work would prosper without the begging, pleading and driving for funds that characterize Christian work of our day.

Yield Yourself To God

What are you doing with your time, talents and treasure? Do you want God to bless your life and use your testimony? Then bow before Him now and say: "Dear Lord Jesus, I thank Thee for giving Thyself on the cross for me. I know Thou are alive from the dead, exalted as Lord of all. Here and now, the best I know how, I yield myself, my all, without hesitation or reservation, once and for all, utterly to Thee. Have Thy way in my life now and forever. By Thy grace, I will go where Thou dost lead, I will speak what Thou dost command, I will be what Thou dost choose, I will do Thy will as Thou dost reveal it for Thy glory. Amen"