God Judges Our Proportion Versus Our Portion

Another way God is equitable regarding distribution of talents is shown in the second servant’s reward. He heard the same words as the first servant (Matthew 25:21-23). Considering the second servant produced only two talents—less than half of what the first servant produced—we might expect the master to say something different to him, such as, “Fair job, mediocre servant. You have been mediocre over few things; I will set you over few things. Enter into the partial joy of your master.”

Why would two servants receive the same reward when one servant produced more than twice as much (five versus two) as the other? Our rewards are not based on how much we produce (the portion). Instead, they’re based on our faithfulness (the proportion). Although the first servant’s portion was larger, their proportions were the same. They both doubled what they were given, which means they were equally faithful. The lesson: We’re only responsible for being faithful with the money entrusted to us. No more. No less.

We see this principle in the Old Testament when God commanded giving a tithe (proportion) versus a certain amount (portion). The application is that God might expect us to give more or less than others (portion). Someone with five talents of wealth might give many times more than someone with two talents or one, but if they’re equally faithful (proportion), they will receive equal rewards.

God Does Not Compare Us with Others

Again, we encounter encouragement and challenge. The encouragement is we don’t need to compare ourselves. For lack of a better word, we don’t have to worry about being as “good” as others. The challenge is that we can’t compare ourselves with others. In other words, we can’t say, “Well, I’m doing better than him, so I must be doing okay.” Should we compare ourselves with others, there are only two possible outcomes. Let’s briefly discuss each of them.

The First Danger of Comparing: Discouragement

I’ll use myself as an example. A few of my stewardships are pastor, author, and speaker. The parable challenges me to serve the Lord with the “talents” He’s given me. At the same time, I’m encouraged regarding God’s expectations. I know that God doesn’t expect me to produce as much as other pastors, authors, and speakers. If I thought I had to be like John MacArthur, Tim Keller, or Paul Tripp, I would be discouraged and feel like a failure. Instead, I’m comforted knowing that even though my ministry doesn’t compare with theirs, I can still equally please the Lord if I am equally faithful.

The Second Danger of Comparing: Pride

We might say things like, “I do so much for the Lord—if only others did as much as me.” But the standard is faithfulness to what God expects of us, not what others are doing.