Matthew 25:21

And here in our parable there are talents committed to each. Not merely the gift of an evangelist, pastor, or teacher; but anything, I take it, which we might employ for Christ. Abilities, time, money, and so on. And, as has often been noticed, the praise is not "good and successful," but "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Am I a faithful servant? Am I a wise steward? It is not a question of success. The Lord never asks me to be successful. The point is, am I wise, and am I faithful? To be truly successful I must be faithful and wise. Many servants have stopped short of the truth, because they were afraid it might spoil their success.

He does not speak a higher and better word of approval to the one who had the five talents and brought Him five other talents. Both hear the same word of approval. It is therefore not a question of how much we have received of the Lord, but how we use what He has given to us. Faithful service will bring approval, even in the smallest matter, and even if there is only one talent.

In chapter 24 it was the "faithful and wise" servant, because, where it is a question of the household, wisdom is needed. But here it is "good and faithful servant." Both are called "faithful." Yet when a servant uses the gifts the Lord sends out into the world with the message of grace, the goodness of God is what stands out. What is the source of all grace in the servant of the Lord? It is the appreciation of God's goodness. This comes out by contrast in the case of the slothful servant.

This confidence in Christ is the source of all true service. It is a complete and blessed confidence in the grace of Christ, and in His heart toward us, who deserve nothing. He has trusted us, and the heart trusts Him, and the servant goes on to serve Him and trade with his talents.

It is true that the two who traded showed nothing more than faithfulness. Why hand goods to them, if not for them to increase them? But the Lord keeps account of it. What He had entrusted was only a little thing in His eyes. Yet they had known Him and had been faithful. There was one heart between Him and them. Now, at His return, they must enter into His joy: one heart in service, and one heart in joy. Also, "many things" were entrusted to them in His kingdom at the hour of His glory.

The results will have their answer in the kingdom. He that has been faithful in that which is little, will be entrusted with much there. We must distinguish between our place in the Father's house, which is all of grace, and the place we shall occupy in the kingdom.

Amazing! The saints enter into God's own joy: they have not only the joy which God bestows, but the joy which God enjoys.

True, there will be the ten cities and the five cities. There will be full, clear, and definite reward for responsibility met, service given, and work done. Every servant will receive his reward. But above and beyond it all shines this precious word, "Enter into the joy of your master." No reward can match this... One smile from Him will touch the heart far more than the brightest crown that could ever be placed on his head.