Context No. 2865 of 4322 · Matthew

Matthew 25:19-23: in context

19“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and settled accounts with them. 20He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’ 21“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’ 23“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

In the parable of the talents, the master returns after a long time to settle accounts. The servant given five talents brings five more; the one given two brings two more. And each hears exactly the same words: well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will set you over many. Enter into the joy of your lord.

Look closely. The two servants started with different amounts and returned different amounts, yet received the identical commendation. God does not measure by the size of the return but by faithfulness with what was given. The two-talent servant is praised word for word like the five-talent one, because both were faithful with their own portion. The reward is not scaled to how much you were handed but to whether you were faithful with it. And the reward itself is not a heavier workload but a share in the master's own joy.

Do I compare my gifts to what others were given, or simply aim to be faithful with the particular measure God has placed in my hands?

Sources

Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things."
Luke 16:10: "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much."
1 Corinthians 4:2: "Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."