“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master’” (Matthew 25:19-21, New American Standard Bible).

The above passage is part of Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). In that story, a wealthy man went on a journey and entrusted his possessions to some of his slaves. Two handled them well, used them to conduct business in their master’s absence, and earned a profit. The third accused him of being hard or cruel, taking what did not belong to him, so he did nothing with the money.

The master in the story—and Jesus—commended the first two men and condemned the third.

“Well done, good and faithful slave” (or servant, in some translations). May we all hear that declaration from our Lord when we stand before Him in glory.

The first two servants heard the same pronouncement even though they reaped a different profit. The master entrusted five talents to one and two to another (and only one talent to the third guy), “each according to his own ability” (Matthew 24:15). He thought they each had a different amount of ability. Mr. Five Talents had proven himself faithful, effective, and successful. Maybe Mr. Two Talents had not proven himself yet, but the master thought he showed potential. Mr. One Talent was probably getting a final chance to prove himself, and he blew it.

The first two followed instructions, succeeded, and received the same commendation. God calls us to use the talents and resources He gave us. We are not measured by what we do not have. We are called to be good and faithful with what He has given us. God simply demands faithfulness from us.

May we prove ourselves faithful with our time, talents, and treasures.

How can you be more faithful with the talents and resources God gave you?

Copyright © 2023 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.