ICS Daily Devotions
Good and Faithful Servant

Matthew 25:16-19 (NKJV) Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NKJV) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

With all that is happening around the world today, we can’t help but think that we are drawing closer to the second coming of the Lord. Nobody can predict when a thief will come because they will always pick a time when we least expect them. Likewise, we won’t know the time of the second return of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we will need to ensure that we are prepared for it when He returns. There will come a day when we are to give an account of our lives to the Lord. This is why we need to consecrate our plans to God and ensure that we are walking in His perfect will.

The original word in Greek for “talent” means money, and it refers to the Lord’s money which all of us are stewards of. Some of us are entrusted with more, and others less. We are also given based on our abilities and trustworthiness. Nevertheless, we are all expected to use His money wisely, with the interest of the Lord in mind.

God is a compassionate God. He expects us to use the finances that He has entrusted us with to help those in need. God expects us to do good works to increase the fruit of our righteousness and to help in the spreading of the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 3:8 (NJKV) Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Each man’s work will be revealed on that day. The kind of work that survives the test of fire is made of gold, silver and precious stones. Such works which the Lord will bless on that day are done out of a pure heart, right motives and out of our love for God. It means even if I am not paid, acknowledged or even appreciated, I will continue to serve because I know I will receive a reward from the Lord.

Let everyone of us work in anticipation of hearing this comment at the end of the day when we meet the Lord face to face: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21,NKJV)

Sermon Series: Faithful Stewards (Talents)