To be or do?

And to one he gave five talents, to another two… Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 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.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. Matthew 25.15-23

The servants who multiplied the talents did not do this with the intention of entering into the joy of their lord, but simply because they wanted to serve. They did not expect anything in return, because they knew that’s why they were there. But because of their sincere intention, the lord they served surprised them, and rewarded them beyond what they could ever imagine. And not just because they did something, but because of the intention they had in their hearts.

Many do the same as these servants did for God and even much more, but they are not rewarded because their intentions are wrong. They multiply their talents thinking about being recognized and rewarded. They strive to do the things of God just to achieve a title or privilege, without keeping in mind that they are simply servants. In fact, what they are really trying to do is rule over many things, instead of being at their Lord’s disposal so that He can put them wherever He wants.

The principles of God rule over His Kingdom, not the principles of men. For God, being overrides doing. If you do something that does not correspond with who you are, or what is in you, then you are doing it in vain. I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind… Jeremiah 17.10

Do not serve God with the intention of receiving something in return. Serve Him simply with the intention of serving. And the Spirit of God will put you where He wants you to be. Do not try to fulfill your will or be where you want to be, because you will never accomplish this. Seek the will of God, and your Lord will establish you in places you never even imagined you would be