IDEA: Faithfulness involves knowing what you are supposed to do and doing it with skill. TEXT: "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately he went on a journey. 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. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents beside them.' His lord said to him, '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.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' " (Matthew 25:14-23).

PURPOSE: To help listeners understand how they can be "good and faithful."

There are several passages in the Bible that tell us we are to be faithful. That was a theme of two of Jesus’ parables.

In Matthew 24:45-46, the story begins with the words "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler of his household, to give them food."

In Matthew 25:14-23, the first two people are commended as "good and faithful" servants in vv.21 and 23.

"Good and faithful" doesn’t apply to some general idea of goodness. The second word defines the first. It speaks of the special excellence of the servant. He is good because he is faithful.

That is the basis of the approval of every servant. Not how much he has made, but his faithfulness in making it.

From what we can determine in these parables, what does it mean to be a faithful servant? Does it simply mean showing up for work?

I. A faithful servant knows what he or she is called to do.

They carry out an assignment. In Matthew 24 the assignment was to feed the household.

II. In both cases patience and faithfulness go together.

You can’t be faithful in just one act. Faithfulness is shown only over a period of time.

III. They’re to do the task to the best of their ability and their resources.

People who operate with different amounts of capital get the same reward because each was faithful in working with the resources he had. They took advantage of the opportunities.

IV. They do their work with skill.

The investors invest and the steward of the household feeds those in his care.

V. They stay with the assignment even when they may be discouraged.

They can be counted on to do what they’ve been assigned to do and to do it well. The coming of the master is delayed, so they show patience by staying with the assignment