Guard Your Master's Talents Well

Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' Matthew 25:19-23

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. Matthew 25:29a

While reading Proverbs 27; my attention was arrested by verse 18, "Whoever tends a fig tree will eat it's fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored." I was then directed to Matthew 25:14-30, especially verses 19-23 and 29a, which speaks of what the kingdom of heaven is like and of the reward of those who are found faithful to Christ in that which has been entrusted into their hands for His glory.

And thus the following words of praise came to mind:

Oh, guard your Master's talents well
And you will one day hear,
"Well done thou good and faithful servant,
Enter My joy with cheer."

For that which Christ entrusted you
Is not for you alone;
But given that you gain the more
In others He'll call home.

Oh, Father by Your mercies show
All we must now adjust--
That we may truly honor You
With all you do entrust.

Into our hands to bring You glory
In every thought and deed--
That by Your Spirit we be true
To sow Your faithful seed.

Oh, what a prize to see the eyes
Of Jesus, Whom you value!
For He has called you to Himself
Just as He did call Matthew.

When all accounts are settled then
You'll have the great abundance
Of Christ Who Is our All, our Gain,
Our Life, and All our Substance!

And all the wonders of His grace
We'll see in what we've sown.
For great will be His harvest then
In those of whom He's known.

Oh, seek not now the praise of men
For though your wait be long,
You'll see the face of Him Who sings
O'er you with joyful song!

Michael E. Wood
March 27, 2010