The world has its own proverb: Nice guys finish last.

Let’s face it, we’ve all seen mean-spirited and/or deceptive people make it to the top. We’ve all seen nice guys (or gals) finishing last. That’s where the proverb came from.

We want Solomon’s proverbs to be true—that meanness gets you nowhere (v 18) and that all crooks (or “bad people”) are punished (v. 21).

The proverb “when the cat’s away, the mice will play” is not a Biblical proverb, but it is still true. The point is that human nature being what it is, when there is no fear of getting caught, people tend to take advantage of the situation for their own pleasure and gain.

Jesus understood this principle, and speaks to it in a parable he tells about being prepared for his return.

Jesus loved to teach using parables, heavenly stories with earthly meaning. They drove home the kingdom principle he had been making as he was teaching his disciples.

Smack in the middle of his lessons on his return, he tells a parable. It is the story of a groom who arrives at midnight to collect a house full of young women. The point being that he arrived at midnight. It was dark

Successful business people understand the importance of measuring their return on investment. Before investing time, finances and other resources in any endeavour, they work out a business plan that will predict how much profit there should be in the project. Romans12 tells us that God has placed within the body of Christ those who are gifted administrators. In the midst of teaching about his return and the establishment of his kingdom, Jesus tells a parable that every Holy Spirit gifted administrator would understand.

Followers of Jesus ought to be obvious to everybody. Somewhere in recent years Christians have come to be known for the things we are against rather than what we are for. It is true that we are called to be salt and light and the principles of the kingdom of God will often put Christians in opposition to the principles that move the world. But we are also called to be the loving hands and feet of Jesus.

Every activity, when a response of obedience, is an act of worship and calling. Although we may distinguish between spiritual gifts and natural talents, God claims both and calls both.

After having given instructions for the building of the sanctuary, God then assembled the work force. Bezalel was identified by name and filled with the Spirit of God to serve as a craftsman. Oholiab was appointed as his helper.

Like many psalms, Psalm 106 begins with praise, but in verse three it transitions to this opening thought, “Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.”

Now there’s a mind-blowing concept. Talk about setting the bar completely out of reach! Nobody – I repeat – nobody always does right and acts justly in every situation. Human fallibility and self-interest dictate to the contrary.