Well Done, Good And Faithful Servant
In the parable of the unprofitable servant, Jesus brings to our attention how we must live and handle kingdom business as His representatives on earth
For some days now, the Holy Spirit has laid in my heart a strong impression concerning the parable of the unprofitable servant.
Scripture:
Matthew 25:14-30 KJVFor the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. [16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. [19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. [21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. [23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: [25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. [26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: [27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. [28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. [29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. [30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Well Done, Good And Faithful Servant Meaning
While taking time to muse of this parable, something clearly stood out to me:
There is the possibility of being called, chosen and sent into the vineyard; only for one to end up becoming an unprofitable servant.
The unprofitable servant was cast into a place of eternal torment. I definitely do not want to be an unprofitable servant.
In this parable, we see Jesus emphasising on two major qualities that every child of God must possess: responsibility and accountability.
Every truly saved person on this planet is called and sent. Every Christian has a ministry they must fulfil. All genuine Christians are servants of God. We all have been given Graces (Ephesians 4:7); gifts of the Holy Spirit and talents with which we are to fulfil the ministry which God has given to us.
No Christian is called to idleness in the kingdom. It is our responsibility to discover our gifts, grow in them, grow in our relationship with Jesus and mature in Him—even to the extent where we are equipped to be used of Him to the fullest.
We are the lights of this present world (Matthew 5:14). We are candles sent to burn, to give light to the world and show the lost the right way back to God. A candle was made to be burnt, not for decoration. We are to burn and burn till our last drop! That is when the purpose of a candle is fulfilled.
Matthew 5:15-16 KJVNeither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
If a candle preserves and prevents itself from burning, it is unprofitable to its Maker.
It is one thing to desire to be used of God, it is another thing to make ourselves usable and available for His use.
At some point, every Christian who understands that they are here on a mission should stop and ask theirself:
- Have I discovered my calling/ministry?
- Have I discovered my spiritual gifts?
- Have I developed and fine-tuned my spiritual gifts to their very best?
- Have I submitted myself for God's use?
- Am I about my Father's business?
- Am I handling my Father's business the way He expects me to?
- Is Jesus pleased with me?
Some of us seem to be more concerned about appearing as a good Christian before people than being the person God destined us to be. That is focus misplaced. God's approval matters more than man's approval.
If we have God's approval we're good to go, but if we don't we are automatically candidates of Hell. There is no better place for the unprofitable servant than a place of eternal torment.
Ephesians 4:7 KJVBut unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
The unprofitable servant was called and sent into the vineyard; he was entrusted with talents, (just like every other servant). He was given Grace equivalent to his calling and ministry. He was expected to make the best use of what he was given to carryout his assignment and bring it to completion. But while others put what they were given to work, he chose to sit on his own ministry instead. He went to sleep, awaiting the return of his master.
Key Point
Every genuine Christian is God's ambassador on earth. Not just a servant, but also a son. A son takes responsibility for his father's business. He ensures that the father's job is done to the father's satisfaction.
The father can count on his son to effectively represent him in his absence. The son must be a responsible son who does his best to not disappoint his father.
Servants serve. They ensure that they carryout the instructions of their master and deliver the job that was entrusted to them exactly according to instructions.
Even the chosen can become a castaway if they do not take responsibility!
Did the unprofitable servant really expect to get an applause from the Master on His return? Definitely not. He got exactly what he deserved: "You wicked and slothful servant!"
I don't want to hear such from Jesus, and I'm sure you definitely do not want the same. We cannot afford to be like the unprofitable servant. I must be responsible and accountable to the One who sent me. I want to hear Him say to me, "Well done! Good and faithful servant!"
Prayer
Thank You Lord Jesus for speaking to me today and reminding me on the need to treat your business as serious as I should. I want to be responsible and accountable to You. I desire to deliver the ministry that You entrusted to me exactly the way You want it, so that I may receive a good reward from You. So help me God. Amen.