Well Done Good and Faithful Servant - Matthew 25:23

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples about a man who was going to travel, and he entrusted his servants with five, two and one talents according to their ability. Jesus added, “After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-three of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the master of the servant with two talents said, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things” where we read:

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord.

The verse reads, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant;” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “His lord” which means “the servant with two talents' master” “said” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto him” which means “to the servant with two talents”, “Well done” or “well off, fare well and prosper”, “good” which means “useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful and happy” “and faithful” or “and believing, trusty and sure” “servant” which refers to “a slave, bondman and man of servile condition”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the master of the “servant with two talents” commended him for the way he managed his “two talents” and said he was “useful, pleasant and salutary” and “trustworthy” for doing so.

The verse continues, “you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “you have been faithful” which means “the servant with two talents was worthy of trust, could be relied upon and was trustworthy” “over a few things” or “with a small amount, slight decree somewhat little measure”, “I will make you ruler” which means “the master will ordain, appoint, conduct and set the servant with two talents” “over many things” or “above a lot and large group of things”: “enter” or “come in and make entrance” “into the joy” which means “in the gladness, cheerfulness and calm delight” “of your lord” which refers to “the servant's one to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding or master”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the master told his “servant” he was “trustworthy” over a small amount of his things, so he would reward him by making him the overseer of many of his belongings. He also invited the servant to “come in” to the “gladness, cheerfulness and calm delight” provided by him.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the “faithfulness” of the servant with “two talents” was rewarded by his master. In the same way, those who have given their hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus and use their gifts in a “trustworthy” manner shall be rewarded as well. Jesus said in the book of Revelation chapter twenty-two and verse twelve, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be”, and He is preparing to account for the attitudes, actions and activities of every person who believes in Him. Let all who read these words believe and trust in Jesus and employ the “gifts” He has given them in a manner that will not only be pleasing to God, but will also receive great reward.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares what happened when, “he which had received the one talent came”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.