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.— Matthew xxv. 21.
This passage contains many lessons which, in the usual order of exposition, should be brought out. Usually a Scripture text should be treated as a whole, that no one thought in it receive attention to the exclusion of other lessons present; but this verse contains a single clause which has such practical and spiritual meaning for us all, that I think we shall be justified in devoting our time and thought chiefly to its elucidation. I refer to the last clause: "Enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Moreover, dwelling upon this will throw light upon the entire passage.
Consider, for a moment, the parable in which these words occur. The servants of a certain rich lord enter upon a stewardship. Apparently all are not equally gifted, and have not the same tasks and duties assigned. They are not equal in influence, power and responsibility—to some is given more, and to others less— but all alike owe allegiance to the same lord, and to no other. Their entire time, labor and ability belong to him; hence, none of the three may render a divided service. Not one has a right to serve his own personal ends, or to set up some counter claim.
