His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master

(Matthew 25:21-23 NASB)

What must one do to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” when you arrive in heaven? Let us try to answer this profound question.

In Jesus’ parable of the talents, the Lord tells of two faithful servants who used what they had been given to increase the master’s wealth. When the master returned from a long absence, he rewarded his two faithful servants and said to each of them, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Every Christian longs to hear those words from Jesus’ lips someday in heaven.

Those of us who are saved by grace through faith know well these words: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB). But if we stop at this verse, we just might miss our eternal reward. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 NASB).

The Lord also spoke of laying up treasures in heaven: “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal” (Matthew 6:20 NASB). His parable of the talents hints at various rewards for those who faithfully serve Him in this world.

To hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” from Jesus, we must first make sure we are saved. The unbeliever will never hear those words. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NASB). We must also always recognize that Jesus is not only our Savior; He is also our Lord. “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46 NASB). “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing” (Psalm 100:2 NASB).

Here are seven ways we can serve our Lord.

Share the Gospel

We should share the gospel day or night, if possible. The Lord Jesus desires us to make disciples, teaching others of the nature and character of God and sharing the meaning of His death and resurrection (Matthew 28:18-20). If we do this daily, we will store up for ourselves an incredible eternal treasure. When was the last time you helped the disadvantaged?

Help Those in Need

In the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), the rich man is condemned because he does not help Lazarus and because he trusts in his wealth too much. What a valuable lesson regarding self-gratification. “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17 NIV).

Forgive Others

Forgiving others of their offenses is not the same as reconciliation or trust, but it means we renounce vengeance. The Lord Jesus modeled forgiveness: “While being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23 NASB).

Serve and Submit

When we view our position of authority as an opportunity to help the people under us, and view our position of subservience as an opportunity to submit to our authority, just as Jesus submitted to the Father’s authority, we become Christlike in both roles. Jesus was both Master and Servant to different people. “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NASB).

Pursue Fellowship and Knowledge of God

Seek to know the character of God better through church fellowship as we listen to sermons, study the Bible, pray, and take note of how God and others have made an impact in and around our lives. Take a moment this morning to think about the ways that Father God, and even those around us, including the least of these, have ministered to you. Even something as small as the ministry of a smile can change the course of a life.

Recognize God as the Source of Every Blessing

Let us not forget that He has been involved in our lives. Every advantageous position that has happened in our life is because of Father God, who is not only the Source of every blessing, but also the One who has tapped on our heart. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17 NASB).

Be Willing to Be Unpopular

We must be willing to display rare courage like the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. “Jesus replied and said, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion. And came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?’ And he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same’ ” (Luke 10:30-37 NASB).

It all comes down to this: love God more than anything, and love others sincerely. “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31 NASB).

At the judgment seat of Christ, those who are faithful to the Lord who saved them will hear those words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” No true servant of the Lord could ask for more. And when we truly understand this, when it settles deep into our hearts, we realize the freedom and simplicity of it all. He is God, and we are not. Our only task is to be faithful with what He has placed in our hands, to love Him with everything we have, and to love the person right in front of us. That is enough. That is everything. That is the life that hears “Well done.”