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 the Lord.”
– Matthew 25:21
As Christians we all want it be said of us “Well done good and faithful servant”. Let’s explore this scripture.
Why is the word “servant” used?
A child of God is one who voluntarily chooses to be a servant to others. Psalm 100:2 says we are to “serve the Lord with gladness…” This is different than a slave who is forced to serve against their will.
How are we a “faithful servant”?
In 1 Cor 3:8 we read, “every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” And in verse 12 it says “it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” A faithful servant endures many hardships while serving God and His people.
- Faithful servants suffer willing for Christ and others (I Pet 4:19)
- Faithful servants trust God completely (Jer 17:7-8)
- Faithful servants seek God’s Truth (Psalm 86:11)
- Faithful servants submit to God’s will and direction (James 4:7)
- Faithful servants serve and love others showing them Agape love in words and deeds (John 13:34)
- Faithful servants use the talents and gifts God gives them (Mat 25:14-30)
What are the rewards?
Did you notice that this scripture says that God rewards in two ways.
First that we “enter into the joy of the Lord”. Nehemiah 8:10 says: … the joy of the Lord is your strength”. We can take confidence, in all circumstances, that all things will work out for the good (Rom 8:28). We can take joy in knowing that God is forgiving, merciful, compassionate, and loving towards us. The joy of the Lord is the gladness and rejoicing we feel from our relationship with Him and the confidence we have in His truths and plan. The fulfillment is an eternity of joy.
The second reward is to be ruler over many things, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.” (Rev 1:6)
“Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing.”
– Matthew 24:46
What does it mean “shall find so doing”?
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…” (2 Pet 3:10) At the return of Christ we are expected to be ready and not caught off guard. As Luke 12:35 says: “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.” His return will come at a time when “no man knows”. Christ wants to find us working–serving Him and His people.
What does that look like?
We are called out from the world and set apart for a Holy purpose (Deut. 14:2). Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is the good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:2). Our words, actions, thoughts, and lives are to be reflecting the character and nature of God.
We are to seek first the Kingdom of God (Mat 6:33). We do this through Prayer, Bible Study, Worship, Repentance, Praise, and Thanksgiving. Putting aside the things of the world and instead keeping our mind and thoughts on the “things of above” (Col 3:2).
We are to be fulfilling the “Royal Law”. What is the Royal Law? In James 2:8 it says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.” More scriptures on Love include:
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
Rom 13:8 “…for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Heb 6:10 “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints..”.
I John 4:8 “..let us love another, for love is from God…”
I Cor 16:4 “Let all things be done with LOVE “
