Can He Trust You?

Matthew 25:19-23 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. 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 the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; 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!’”
 
We often ask, “Can we trust God?” as life’s circumstances seem to counter his Word. Perhaps, though, the question is, “Can God trust us?” In our prior lesson we considered what it would be if each Christian “doubled” the Kingdom of God by leading one person to discover Jesus. As we have the “talent” of faith in Christ, we must use this precious gift to further the Christ’s cause on earth. Jesus is our Master.  He has entrusted us with the gospel. The Lord must find us trustworthy to obey his commands.
   Jesus further emphasized the reward of your active trust in his gifts. “Well done!” from the Master is the greatest affirmation we can hope to receive. We know how high our hearts jump and how wide our smiles expand when someone we love and respect tells us, “Well done, my good wife, my good husband, my good child.” We love to be praised and honored in such a way!
   How joyful then, it will be for our God, who is love, to praise us? Yes, what happiness to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” echoing in your ears from Heaven’s throne through all eternity.
   This affirmation is in high contrast to Jesus’ judgment on the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Seven times there he told those who have been entrusted to expand the Kingdom, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” These men assigned to use their gifts of knowledge had corrupted God’s truth. Their lives buried God’s treasure with self-appointed power. They not only failed to multiply the Kingdom, they had subtracted the value of God’s Word and kept people from the truth: “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!” (Matthew 23:15)  
   It is difficult to imagine how terrifying these words would be if the Living Word spoke them to us. The Pharisees and teachers responded with hatred for the Master. That hatred was evident as Jesus spoke to guide them back to the true Kingdom. Some say Jesus spoke these words with a grievous heart, mercifully speaking to awaken these lost sheep to the true Shepherd.
   Acts records that some of the teachers and Pharisees – the apostle Paul for one – repented to become faithful Kingdom servants. Others remained rebellious to the Master. God’s justice would be swift and sure to redeem the repentant and condemn the faithless.