Faithful in Service

In one our literature fellowships few weeks ago the Lord led us to pray-read Mathew 25:14-29. The striking phrases are:

"to each according to his own ability"25:15 To one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability. And he went abroad. 

The Lord knows our capacity and He will only give us according to who we are and what we are. He knows how much we can handle and will never give us beyond or below our capacity. The one who receives more has more capacity, and likewise with the less. There is no need to envy over the less or the more. Honor the Lord's assignment and receive with thanksgiving all that the Lord has given us. He knows best.

"Immediately"25:16 Immediately he who had received the five talents went and traded with them and gained another five.

Our response after the Lord's apportioning should be, "immediately." Once the Lord has assigned some talents, we should not ponder over it, but take action. There is no further need to analyse or even to pray over, for the matter is already made know by the Lord. The talents have been given, and go trade with it.

Once the Lord called and revealed His plan, go ahead and just do it. Since it is from the Lord, His grace will follow to accomplish the tasks.

"gained another.."25:20  And he who had received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, Master, you delivered to me five talents; behold, I have gained another five talents.

We must be accountable to all that the Lord has bestowed upon us. Be it small or be it great, be faithful to carry out what the Lord has commissioned us to do. And with what the Lord has given, we must gain more in return, out from it. We must be profitable to the Lord. We cannot be idle, lazy or slothful. But be diligent and faithful to accomplish the Lord's burden.

"Well done" 25:21  His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master. 

The Lord definitely rewards His children with what is righteously due. To the faithful, according to his work, and to the slothful, alike. None can escape the Lord's righteous judgement. To whatever the Lord has bestowed, we must labor on it faithfully. We even must sweat it out to get the best out of what the Lord has given. And therefore, reap the harvest of our labor.

In addition to the reward of entering into the joy of our Master, we will have the honorable degree, "Good and Faithful Salve."   

The Lord's light shown upon us as a result of our pray-reading the word of God. It was so helpful to all of us, serving ones, in the distribution of the ministry of the word. We all were renewed in our attitude towards our service and the way we carry out our service.

Later, I had to write to another serving one concerning his service; both as an encouragement and also as a chastisement. As this brother had been up and down in his service to the Lord, weighing between the service of the world and of the Lord, he needed such a timely speaking. Praise the Lord! Finally, the Lord showed him the vanity of his labor in the world, and further enlightened him of the grace and glory in the Lord's service.

Lord, make me Your good and faithful slave!