Matthew 25:19-23
“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 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.’
“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!’
“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.’
“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!’” …
We love this part of the parable. When we get to heaven, we imagine Jesus will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That would be a fitting summary of a life well-lived, having served our Master well and being told that we did good work for his kingdom. I hope all people of faith want to please Jesus in how we live and how we use the gifts He has given us. We serve Jesus at church, in our families, in our careers and as we live day by day in our community. All we do can be given in service to our Master, and if we work hard and devote ourselves to those things Jesus says truly matter, we can be confident we will hear a heavenly “Well done!”
There are two other aspects of the Master’s words that we should notice. First, both faithful servants hear the same words of commendation. The Master is equally pleased with the two good and faithful workers, even though one earned five bags of gold and the other made only two. The servant who received two bags was not expected to earn five more. They each take what they are given and put it to work to double the Master’s investment, and so they are each blessed equally and invited to share their Master’s happiness. Second, notice that there is more work still to be done. The Master will now entrust more resources and responsibilities to each faithful servant. This may tell us that we will have work to do in heaven (like worship), but it may also indicate that Jesus’ parable is just as much about tasks we accomplish in this life. As we show ourselves faithful, the Spirit entrusts us with greater kingdom responsibilities.
God has made an investment in you. He has given you gifts and abilities, and He has called you to honor him by loving your family, serving at church, doing good in the community, and being salt and light in every other arena of your life. Good work that you accomplish for your Master’s glory builds the kingdom. Then again, work left undone or poorly attempted wastes God’s investment. However many bags of gold God has entrusted to you, may you be good and faithful in service to your Master.
Father in Heaven, thank You for trusting me to help build Your kingdom. Give me strength to work hard for Your glory and in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Pastor Mike Mirakian
