FOUND FAITHFUL

Matthew 25:21&23 / 1Corinthians 4:2

In this parable of the talents, Christ has given a picture of service that would be wise for each of us to follow.

Two of the servants or stewards did their best with what had been delivered to them. Each one doubled their working capital.

In thinking on this, we find:

1- God expects active service not just negative innocence. In Luke 19:13, Jesus made a statement in the parable of the 10 pounds, which mirrors this parable we are looking at today. He said, “Occupy till I come” the Greek definition of the word “occupy” - to busy oneself with, that is, to trade.

2- Our powers and faculties do not belong to us they are God’s and are to be used for Him in His service.

3- Our best service is to be proportionate to our talents; the individual with two talents can only be expected to make two more not five, yet he/she will work just as well as those who are more gifted. Donald Stamps wrote, “Each of us have been given the opportunity, time, and means to live for Christ by word and deed, by acts of kindness, in prayer, thru offerings, and in many other ways.” We cannot be snide and say, “I have only so much and therefore I can’t do anything else.” We are to busy ourselves and continue to work with God asking Him to enlarge our talents.

God will call every one of His servants to account for the use they make of their powers and opportunities.

4- These servants were FOUND FAITHFUL and were rewarded. We too need to be FOUND FAITHFUL and will also be rewarded.

a. This is for faithfulness, not just for keeping what is committed to us.

b. “Good and faithful” we cannot help but see and hear the cheerfulness and the joyous tone of these generous words.

They encourage us to look at the bright side of the Christian life and work. It is not all failure!

It is largely fruitful and acceptable to God.

c. Even today, there are “good and faithful” servants of God. There has not been any age in history that has been without such people. Even when five talented people are scarce, those with two yes even one talent have abounded and proven their faithfulness by their fruit.

d. God generously recognizes the merits of His true servants. We realize no one has absolute merit with God. For any good in the work we do is accomplished only through God’s grace, so we must be diligent in giving Him all the glory. Still there is always room for effort and faithfulness. When God sees these qualities, He acknowledges them and rejoices over them.

e. We will be rewarded by hearing the joy of our Lord when He says, “Enter in, good and faithful servant.”

O it will be so joyful on our part to hear these words.

Because we will have been, “FOUND FAITHFUL” and will live eternally in His joy and presence.

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