19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
The master in Jesus’ story did not say, “Well done, good and famous servant,” or “good and impressive servant.” He said, “good and faithful servant.”
Faithfulness is success in the kingdom of God.
We may never be the most gifted, recognised or influential person in the room. But each of us can be faithful with what God has entrusted to us.
Faithfulness is often quiet. It appears in prayers nobody hears, service nobody applauds, generosity nobody sees and obedience that receives no public reward.
The desire to be impressive can exhaust us. The call to be faithful steadies us. We do not have to compete with someone else’s assignment. We simply offer God our wholehearted obedience today.
One day, the only evaluation that will finally matter will come from Jesus.
What would faithfulness look like in the responsibilities God has given me today?
Father, free me from comparison and the need to impress. Help me be faithful with my time, gifts, relationships and opportunities. May my life bring joy to you. Amen.
