Matthew 25:19-21 – After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
“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!’”
I was at a dinner last week and the guest of honor shared that he was visiting his grandson at Dartmouth College. Among many interesting facts about Dartmouth he told us that each class is known and referred to by their graduating year. His grandson and grandson’s classmates are ‘23’s’. Obviously, there are times when that name needs alteration for one reason or another, but the overarching idea is that they are known by their finish lines. He summarized his thoughts in this way: “I want to be known by my finish line I want my word to be ‘well done.’”
For me this brings up a few questions. When I meet my master, how will I be known or called? Am I living in consideration of my finish line? I want to leave a legacy for my children and grandchildren. It reminds me of our current sermon series as we are learning what God’s design is for His people and the discussion of personhood as we seek to understand distinction in oneness.
If you continue the Matthew passage, each of three servants were trusted with a certain amount of their master’s gold sometimes translated as talents. Similarly, we have each been given gifts and abilities designed for us by our master. The two servants who used this opportunity and invested their talents, saw growth and got to share the master’s happiness. However, a third servant, out of fear, buried his talent and gained nothing. Are you burying your talents? How could you better use your God-given abilities?
Think about what means to be known by your finish line. Live with your legacy in mind. We as believers have been called according to His purpose and He has uniquely gifted us for such a task. When our master returns, I want to hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant…come share your master’s happiness.”