In Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus sits down with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, opposite the temple in Jerusalem. The disciples start asking him questions about the ‘last days’ – that time of urgency before Jesus ushers in the end of the age.
Jesus answers their questions, and as he does, we notice a character who keeps popping up: the faithful servant (Matthew 24:45; 25:21, 23).
One parable Jesus tells in the garden is about a master who goes on a journey and gives his servants responsibility over some of his assets (Matthew 25:14-30). When he gets back, he finds that two of the servants have made the most of the responsibility, and gained more assets for the master. To these, the master (who is a picture of God the Father) says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)
There is something for us to learn here about the value Jesus places on faithfulness among his people as we wait for his return.
“Faithfulness is our business; fruitfulness is an issue that we must be content to leave with God.”J.I. Packer
You see, the standard by which Jesus will judge his people is not “success”, but “faithfulness”. We will be evaluated on action, not result. That’s because we are just the servants, the results are in the Father’s hands.
Jesus won’t be interested in how many people we converted (as if we really could). What matters to him is that we were faithful enough to tell others about him.
Jesus won’t be interested in the dollar amount we gave to gospel ministry. What matters to him is that we were faithful enough to put his kingdom first.
Jesus won’t be interested in how many sins we managed to overcome. What matters to him is that we were faithful in our battle against sin, living in moment-by-moment dependence on his Spirit to resist sin.
J.I Packer summed it up well: “Faithfulness is our business; fruitfulness is an issue that we must be content to leave with God.” [1]
Live it: This week, don’t be a slave to spiritual success. The truth is, you don’t have the power to make anything happen! That’s God’s department. Instead, just be faithful. Look forward to hearing your Father and Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
– Clint Lombard
References:
- John Blanchard, ed., The Complete Gathered Gold: a Treasury of Quotations for Christians, Accordance electronic ed. (New York: Evangelical Press, 2006), paragraph 4622.