God Speaking

“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.”” (Matthew 25:21)

June, in North America, is the month of celebrating graduates and this year our family was blessed with three graduating granddaughters. As we had several family gatherings, one particular phrase was often heard, “WELL DONE”. It was said with sincerity in acknowledgment of the hard work each had applied and recognizing the effort it took to achieve their goals. Basking in this love and praise was one of the wonderful results of faithfully staying on course and not losing heart or straying from the real purpose. When I was a girl, every school had a school motto, usually in Latin and ours, translated meant, “If it is worth doing, do it well”.

Jesus was talking about doing things well when he uses the phrase, “well done “in the parable of, The Tenants, in Matthew 25:14 – 30, and it is a wonderful message for all of us who love the Lord, to absorb into our own lives. The parable which is about the kingdom of heaven, begins with a master leaving and entrusting his property to his servants.

“Again it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.” (Matthew 25:14)

What an awesome thought to grasp as we realise this story Jesus is telling is about us. He has entrusted the good news of his kingdom to us and has given us all we need to accomplish what he has designed us to do. The sad part of this story lies in the fact that one servant did not realise the honour bestowed upon him by the master and fails to put every effort into increasing his master’s property.

When we realise that honour bestowed upon us we then have to stop and evaluate our walk with the Lord. When I think about evaluating, I think back to that school motto. If walking with the Lord is worth doing, let us do it well. As most students will tell you, all the effort they have expended is worth it all when that moment arrives of hearing loud and clear… Well Done!

Jesus tells us there are great rewards in following him;

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.” (John 12:26)

No earthly scholastic achievement could ever exceed the wonderful feeling of being the recipient of the honour award from Our Heavenly Father!

The other great benefit of putting all our effort into serving the Lord is also found in that parable. When the master acknowledges the “few things” the servant has tried to do, he encourages to do more, “I will put you in charge of many things” and the ultimate joy will be; “Come and share your master’s happiness.” (Matthew 25:21)

So as we strive to make our walk a worthy one we too will hear that whisper.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”