“Whosoever will be great.” True greatness is not a matter of leadership, authority or high personal achievement (v. 42), but of an attitude of heart that sincerely desires to live for God and others. We must be so committed to God that we identify with His will on earth without desiring glory, position or material rewards. Accomplishing the will of God, bringing others to salvation in Christ and pleasing God are the rewards of the truly great. (See Luke 22:24-30; cf. 1Cor 13:13).
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1Cor 13:13)
“The greatest … is love.” It is clear from this chapter that God exalts Christ-like characters more than ministry, faith or the possession of spiritual gifts.
• God values and emphasises character that acts in love, patience (v. 4), kindness (v.4), unselfishness (v.5), hatred for evil and love for the truth (v.6), honesty (v.6) and endurance in righteousness (v.7), much more than faith to move mountains or to perform great achievements in the church (vv. 1-2, 8, 13).
• The greatest in the kingdom of God will be those who are great in inward godliness and who demonstrate genuine love for God and people, not necessarily those who are greatest in outward accomplishments. God’s love poured out within the believer’s heart through the Holy Spirit is always greater than faith, hope or anything else (Rom5: 5).
Read Matt 25:14-30 — The Parable Of The Talents
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling to a far country, who called his servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey,” (Mat 25:15).
“Talents.” The parable of the talents warns us that our place and service in heaven will depend on the faithfulness of our lives and service here (cf. v.29). A talent represents our abilities, time, resources and opportunities to serve God while on earth. God considered these things as a trust that we are responsible to administer in the wisest possible way.
“His lord said to him, ‘well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord,” (Mat 25:21).
“Faithful.” Those who are faithful are reliable, loyal and trustworthy. The same word is used of God and Christ. We can depend on God to fulfill His promises, and He wants to be able to depend on us as well. The plural is sometimes used of believers as “faithful ones,” who are not only dependable but also full of faith.
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