What does one have to do to hear the words "Well done good and faithful servant"?

Neostarwcc

We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.
Supporter
Dec 13, 2015
5,229
4,189
37
US
✟909,984.00
Country
United States
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
Christ gives us a basic overview in Matthew 25:14-23 but exactly what does a person have to do to be praised by Christ on the last day? If a Christian only does one of the things expected of him like giving to the poor will he still hear those words? Or does he have to do multiple things for God? Besides that, just what exactly does God want from his servants?
 
  • Like
Reactions: anna ~ grace

Daniel C

Well-Known Member
Nov 22, 2018
1,147
426
England
✟23,768.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
I think the parable highlights the servants who acted on faith were justied but the one who did not was codemended:

''14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.''


But where is the faith with the last man with one talent?


24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

He lacked faith and didn't put the talent to use like the master ordered. I also think the mater is a metaphor for Christ and the talents are souls. The men who had faith were rewarded, the man who had no faith and trusted in his own judgment was condemned.
 
Upvote 0

“Paisios”

Sinner
Supporter
Aug 8, 2014
2,876
4,622
55
✟594,142.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Matthew 25:31-46, as the continuation from the passage you bring up, seems like another place to look for the answer to the question.
Christ gives us a basic overview in Matthew 25:14-23 but exactly what does a person have to do to be praised by Christ on the last day? If a Christian only does one of the things expected of him like giving to the poor will he still hear those words? Or does he have to do multiple things for God? Besides that, just what exactly does God want from his servants?
 
Upvote 0

Neostarwcc

We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.
Supporter
Dec 13, 2015
5,229
4,189
37
US
✟909,984.00
Country
United States
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
Matthew 25:31-46, as the continuation from the passage you bring up, seems like another place to look for the answer to the question.

I'm mostly asking for help interpreting the parable.

Like, Christ says in the parable "He that only gives me the one bag back is a wicked and lazy servant and deserving of hellfire, and those that give me 2-5 bags of gold back I will say "Well done, good and faithful servant and bless them beyond their wildest dreams practically."

What are these bags of gold? Why is somebody who only gives God one bag of gold back worthy of hellfire? If the bags of gold represent services to Christ, what services to Christ is Christ talking about? Charity? Bringing people to Christ? Frequently studying your bible, what?

Didn't Christ also say that if a person knows what God wants for his life but doesn't do it will receive lashes and rebuke from God and not hellfire? This is further backed up by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:15 by saying those who basically do nothing would "still be saved as though one escaping from the flames".
 
Upvote 0

Daniel C

Well-Known Member
Nov 22, 2018
1,147
426
England
✟23,768.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Let's not forget all these sayings in chapter 25 are parables and not commandments but metaphors as Jesus clearly outlines at the beginning of the conversation:


''Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto......''

After this point it's all about interpretation as parables aren't commandments. The people wishing to advocate works salvation always call upon parables due to their ambiguous nature.
 
Upvote 0

Neostarwcc

We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.
Supporter
Dec 13, 2015
5,229
4,189
37
US
✟909,984.00
Country
United States
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
Let's not forget all these sayings in chapter 25 are parables and not commandments but metaphors as Jesus clearly outlines at the beginning of the conversation:


''Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto......''

After this point it's all about interpretation as parables aren't commandments. The people wishing to advocate works salvation always call upon parables due to their ambiguous nature.

But the point of his parables were to teach how every Christian should live right?
 
Upvote 0

Daniel C

Well-Known Member
Nov 22, 2018
1,147
426
England
✟23,768.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
But the point of his parables were to teach how every Christian should live right?


Fair point. I would need to ask a person how literal they view a parable though, because some people think Jesus is A literal vine,so they are clearly not hearing the message of what Jesus is telling us.

That's just my view anyway.

I do believe faith is for salvation and work is for heavenly rewards. Alms done correctly will probably bring rewards but most people give to boast,so they forfeit their reward:


''But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.''


Soul winning is another big one for heavenly rewards.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Dave-W

Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!
Supporter
Jun 18, 2014
30,521
16,866
Maryland - just north of D.C.
Visit site
✟771,800.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Obey the greatest commandment, love God :) And do all that goes with that.
And then you will be able to say:

Luke 17:10
So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”
 
  • Optimistic
Reactions: devin553344
Upvote 0

joshua 1 9

Well-Known Member
Supporter
May 11, 2015
17,420
3,592
Northern Ohio
✟314,577.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
what exactly does God want from his servants?
Jesus lived His life as an example for us to follow. We are told He went about teaching, preaching and healing the sick. He entered this world in a very humble place. Even though His father is the Head of the House, he entered the house as a servant. Even if His house was very humble a tent, that is represented by the Tabernacle in the wilderness. His house was Holy and Sanctified. Also He came to sacrifice Himself for others. Just as a husband is to sacrifice himself for his wife. In the same way the mother sacrifices herself for her children. We see this is the Hebrew Language where the letters are symbols. One symbol for our dwelling where we live. A symbol for a humble bent over servant. If we want to help children for example we have to bow down to their level where they are at. In the same way that God has to humble Himself to communicate with us when we are clearly not at the level of understanding that He is. In the wilderness there is nothing to distract us from being in tune with God.

We are joint heirs with Christ and we do have authority. Only we do not use that authority to benifit ourselves, we use our authority to help others find their liberty and freedom in Christ. So we need to spend time with God to intercede for people and to get the power and strength we need to help them.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: ADisciple
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Dan1988

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jul 8, 2018
1,548
616
35
Sydney
✟198,870.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Private
I'm mostly asking for help interpreting the parable.

Like, Christ says in the parable "He that only gives me the one bag back is a wicked and lazy servant and deserving of hellfire, and those that give me 2-5 bags of gold back I will say "Well done, good and faithful servant and bless them beyond their wildest dreams practically."

What are these bags of gold? Why is somebody who only gives God one bag of gold back worthy of hellfire? If the bags of gold represent services to Christ, what services to Christ is Christ talking about? Charity? Bringing people to Christ? Frequently studying your bible, what?

Didn't Christ also say that if a person knows what God wants for his life but doesn't do it will receive lashes and rebuke from God and not hellfire? This is further backed up by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:15 by saying those who basically do nothing would "still be saved as though one escaping from the flames".
I heard a sermon about this parable and the preacher interpreted the parable to be speaking about witnessing to others , by being a faithful servant.
God doesn't command us to do anything complicated, all He expects us to do is trust and obey Him. If we live in faith obedience, He will do the rest.
I have friends who waste a lot of time and energy arguing with Atheists, while they could be using their time and energy on much more profitable things.
All of us will have to give an account of the way we lived our lives. A faithful servant will always refer to Gods Word for instruction in all matters.
Christ never tried to prove anything to unbelievers, He simply asked them questions which they couldn't answer and that was the end of the matter.
Christ summed it all up, when He gave us the 2 main commandments. "To love God with all our heart, mind and soul and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves".
If we love God, then we will trust and obey Him. And if we love our neighbor as we love our self, it would be evidence that the Holy Spirit is indwelling us.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neostarwcc
Upvote 0

joshua 1 9

Well-Known Member
Supporter
May 11, 2015
17,420
3,592
Northern Ohio
✟314,577.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I'm mostly asking for help interpreting the parable.
David tells us that God writes the book of our life before we are even born. Every chapter and every verse. At conception we are given all of our gifts, talents and abilities. We are to use what we have to bring Honor and Glory to God. We do not try to draw any attention to ourselves. Even we are told that this was the issue with Satan in Heaven is he wanted to put himself in the place of God and he wanted the angels to worship him. Our passion is to be for God.

"all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:16)
 
Upvote 0

joshua 1 9

Well-Known Member
Supporter
May 11, 2015
17,420
3,592
Northern Ohio
✟314,577.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I have friends who waste a lot of time and energy arguing with Atheists,
You can not argue with them. You have to show them the weakness in their logic and the way they process information. This is why we are to have the mind of Christ and the Divine thoughts of God.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Neostarwcc
Upvote 0

Neostarwcc

We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.
Supporter
Dec 13, 2015
5,229
4,189
37
US
✟909,984.00
Country
United States
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
Fair point. I would need to ask a person how literal they view a parable though, because some people think Jesus is A literal vine,so they are clearly not hearing the message of what Jesus is telling us.

That's just my view anyway.

I do believe faith is for salvation and work is for heavenly rewards. Alms done correctly will probably bring rewards but most people give to boast,so they forfeit their reward:


''But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.''


Soul winning is another big one for heavenly rewards.

You're right. When God called himself a vine and we are the branches he didnt literally mean that we were a grape vine. But the branches of a grape vine are a part of the grape vine and the vine itself is the main latt and "head of" the grape vine. Jesus's parables were basically a guide to how Christian's should live and how the kingdom of God works. Like when God said "the kingdom of God is a lot like a mustard seed" ...etc.
 
Upvote 0

Neostarwcc

We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.
Supporter
Dec 13, 2015
5,229
4,189
37
US
✟909,984.00
Country
United States
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
I heard a sermon about this parable and the preacher interpreted the parable to be speaking about witnessing to others , by being a faithful servant.
God doesn't command us to do anything complicated, all He expects us to do is trust and obey Him. If we live in faith obedience, He will do the rest.
I have friends who waste a lot of time and energy arguing with Atheists, while they could be using their time and energy on much more profitable things.
All of us will have to give an account of the way we lived our lives. A faithful servant will always refer to Gods Word for instruction in all matters.
Christ never tried to prove anything to unbelievers, He simply asked them questions which they couldn't answer and that was the end of the matter.
Christ summed it all up, when He gave us the 2 main commandments. "To love God with all our heart, mind and soul and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves".
If we love God, then we will trust and obey Him. And if we love our neighbor as we love our self, it would be evidence that the Holy Spirit is indwelling us.


Can you provide a link to this sermon? Or did your pastor say it in church? Okay. God wants obedience from us but how can you tell when God is leading you into something and not the devil? Will Satan use anything beyond temptation to lead us away from Gods plan for our lives?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Neostarwcc

We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.
Supporter
Dec 13, 2015
5,229
4,189
37
US
✟909,984.00
Country
United States
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
You can not argue with them. You have to show them the weakness in their logic and the way they process information. This is why we are to have the mind of Christ and the Divine thoughts of God.


Honestly that's how I converted.
 
Upvote 0

Neostarwcc

We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.
Supporter
Dec 13, 2015
5,229
4,189
37
US
✟909,984.00
Country
United States
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
David tells us that God writes the book of our life before we are even born. Every chapter and every verse. At conception we are given all of our gifts, talents and abilities. We are to use what we have to bring Honor and Glory to God. We do not try to draw any attention to ourselves. Even we are told that this was the issue with Satan in Heaven is he wanted to put himself in the place of God and he wanted the angels to worship him. Our passion is to be for God.

"all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:16)


So when we are lead by God we will know? I guess if you're on one particular path your whole life than that's the path God wants from you. Most of the talents and abilities that God gave to me are sins. So its like.... idk....
 
Upvote 0

Daniel C

Well-Known Member
Nov 22, 2018
1,147
426
England
✟23,768.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Single
Christ gives us a basic overview in Matthew 25:14-23 but exactly what does a person have to do to be praised by Christ on the last day? If a Christian only does one of the things expected of him like giving to the poor will he still hear those words? Or does he have to do multiple things for God? Besides that, just what exactly does God want from his servants?


I think the greatest work for God a Christian can do is soul Winning. Jesus commandment it in the great commission of Matthew and Mark and throughout his ministry the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel.

Pauls main mission was to preach the Gospel:


1 Corinthians 1:17
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."

So I think to get rewards In heaven,soul winning through evangelism is the main way.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Neostarwcc

We are saved purely by the work and grace of God.
Supporter
Dec 13, 2015
5,229
4,189
37
US
✟909,984.00
Country
United States
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Married
I think the greatest work for God a Christian can do is soul Winning. Jesus commandment it in the great commission of Matthew and Mark and throughout his ministry the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel.

Pauls main mission was to preach the Gospel:


1 Corinthians 1:17
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."

So I think to get rewards In heaven,soul winning through evangelism is the main way.

Mind if I send you a PM? I have a question I want to ask you in private.
 
Upvote 0