We all love compliments. We all want to be appreciated. We spend our energy trying to be noticed for our professional accomplishments, intellectual ability and personal appearance.  Here’s a good question. "What is the greatest compliment you could ever receive?”

Jesus gave us the answer. He tells us that the most important words we can receive will not come in this life. It’s a compliment that potentially comes when we stand before Him in eternity to give an account of our lives. It’s for people who have met certain spiritual requirements in their walk with Jesus. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus spoke of three men who were given talents, gifts and responsibilities to steward for their master. The master was going away but promised there would be an evaluation when he returned. When the master returned he discovered that two servants had acted wisely and responsibly and one had not. To the two who had fulfilled the master’s expectations a simple but powerful compliment “Well done, good and faithful servant!”  (25:21)

If we want to get the greatest compliment of all from Jesus, there are some things we need to understand:  Jesus is looking at and evaluating what we do with our lives. Notice that Jesus did not say “Well said!” or “Well thought!” or “Well intentioned!” No, He said, “Well done!” Real faith changes our actions - what we do.

Jesus is evaluating our attitude toward serving. Notice the last word of the compliment, “servant.” Both of the men who were affirmed by their master understood and fulfilled the highest call of all - they did not live for their own interests, but lived for the interests of their master and others. Jesus is measuring the substance and quality of our character of our lives. We find two important words in the compliment the master gave - words describing their character. These men had been “good and faithful.” Good speaks of rightness, moral virtue, kindness and generosity. Faithful refers to a person who can be counted on, who is reliable; who demonstrates loyalty in life’s responsibilities and relationships. Yes, we all come before Jesus - what I want to hear - and I believe what we want to hear is “Well done - good and faithful servant.”