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 25:23
As our district camp dates approached, the staff got occupied making sure that all camp staff had an acceptable background check on file. It is a sad reality that some people sometimes have to be rejected from doing a ministry because of a past problem.
On the other hand, if a past record includes a decision for Christ, we know that the past is forgiven. What's more, the good works done for Christ using the spiritual gifts that He gave us will be a determining factor concerning what we will be doing in the Millenium. This parable actually includes verses fourteen to thirty and has some interesting possibilities. For example, both the slave who was given five talents and the slave who was given two talents were put "in charge of many things". It seems that there is equal rule in the Millenium, even though our gifts and rule in this life vary. Secondly, our rule and reign in the Millenium will evidently be based on what we are given in this world, as the slaves' future activities were assigned based on what they were given in this world to do. (This probably refers to spiritual gifts, since His gifts are without repentance, Romans 11:29). Thirdly, our future assignments will be looked at as a "joy" since the curse of Genesis 3:17-19 will be removed. Fourthly, we see that the rewards are given to "slaves" - those who serve - not to any who use the lack of obedience to the Master as an excuse to take over His possessions.
When Christ checks your background, what will He find?
Davy L. Troxel