Faithfulness: The True Measure of Success in Compassion Ministry 

Listen to this article:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Those are the words we all long to hear from the Father at the end of our journey here on earth. I know it is a huge motivation in my life.

I also know that a very real challenge for many of us in church and nonprofit ministry is becoming weary in our well-doing.

My husband and I have been serving on our church’s staff and directing our nonprofit organization for over 20 years, so we are well acquainted with the struggle.

Let’s take a look together at the parable containing those inspirational words to see if we can gain some insight on how to achieve the goal of the former without the burden of the latter.

Read the entirety of Matthew 25:14-43 for the full parable of the talents. It’s a fascinating look into God’s economy.  The master gives the first servant five talents, the second servant two, and the third servant one, “each according to their ability” (v. 15). After a long time of the master being away, he returns expecting an account of the return on his investments.

Unlike the third servant, who foolishly buried his investment and received a harsh rebuke from the master, the first two servants are able to come boldly showing they were able to double their initial investments. The master tells them both the exact same thing: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master’s happiness.” (v. 21, 23).

As Jesus goes further with this parable, he explains that when the Son of Man returns, he will separate the sheep from the goats. A huge indicator of the difference between the two will be how they treated the poor among us: 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothing, and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” (vs. 34-36)

What is the key to all of this, and how does the message here work to prevent our weariness?

Listen again to the reply of the master when he commends the servants who used what they had been given wisely: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

He doesn’t say, “Well done, good and highly successful servant,” or “Well done, good and super connected and influential servant.” He highlights faithfulness. Webster’s definition of “faithful” describes someone who is “steadfast in affection or allegiance. First in adherence to promises or in observance of duty.”

In my not-so-distant past, I struggled with the false belief that I needed to rescue those around me who were hurting—if I didn’t, who else would? That feels silly to even type out and see in print, but it was a very real false belief I carried for years. I don’t think that’s too uncommon for those of us in compassion-related ministries. But there is no better way for the enemy to weigh us down and keep us from thriving than to fool us into picking up heavy burdens we weren’t designed to carry.

So, let’s together choose to cast off any and all false beliefs that don’t line up with what God’s word has laid out for us. Paul speaks to this in Philippians 3 when he talks about the futility of putting any confidence in our flesh. He argues if any could do that, he could have because of his stellar religious credentials. However, he realized how ridiculous and counter-productive that thinking is. Instead, he points us to something much greater: 

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:10-14)  

That, friends, is what biblical faithfulness is all about. God rewards us according to our faithfulness. Let’s begin defining success the way the Lord does.

Success = faithfulness.

At times when we begin to grow weary, let’s consider what our real real goal is. If it’s anything other than the faithfulness of loving God and others, we are picking up burdens not created for us to carry. On the other hand, laying those aside and running the race with understanding will bring a lightness in our spirit and a joy in the journey.

Then, I have full confidence each of us will one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Until then, God be with you and those you are serving.

About this Guest Contributor:

Debbie Wells and her husband, Scott, have served as leaders at The Gate Church in  Hammond, Indiana, for over 20 years. Debbie also serves as a case manager for True Charity Network Member organization, InnerMission. Following the True Charity Summit 2023, Debbie made the commitment to become a True Charity Ambassador, whereby she can share her passion for people and encourage other organizations in the Hammond area to become better equipped to improve their charitable efforts.

FROM THE TRUE CHARITY TEAM: We appreciate the perspective of our knowledgeable guest contributors. However, their opinions are their own, and do not necessarily represent positions of True Charity in all respects.