Small ability level or great, both can please God equally

As you read the passage from Matthew 25: below take notice of the following. In verse 15 we see that those entrusted with the talents did not all have the same ability level. They were given responsibilities base on their own individual ability. God knowing their ability level did not expect them to accomplish equally. Instead of equal accomplishments God was looking for equal faithfulness.

Perhaps this is not the best example but lets pretend you are on the same basketball team as Michael Jordan. You can give your team a 100% and Michael can give his team a 100%. At the end of the game, in-spite of equal effort, Michael scores twice as many points as you. You were not equally productive but you both gave your best effort. 

In this world the one with greater ability may be favored more. But not so with God. In verses 19-23 carefully compare, word for word, the praise that the master gave to the one who gained 5 talents to the one that gained 2 talents. The praise is the same. Word for word the praise is the same. God was equally pleased with both. Why? God was not equally pleased because of equal accomplishments but because they both were faithful. 

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21 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.’

22 “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.’ 23 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.’

24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’

26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org)
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