WELL DONE
By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson

Matthew 25:23
His lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

Every human being loves to be commended of praised for the good work he or she does.
Matthew 25:14-30 summarizes one of Jesus’s parables. He compared the kingdom of heaven to a man that was travelling on a journey. Before he left, He called his three servants and gave them talents according to their abilities. He gave one 5 talents, the other 2 talents and the last one, 1 talent. The first one worked with the five and gained five more.

In the same way, the second on worked with his 2 talents and gained 2 more. The last one buried his talent.
When the man returned, he asked his servants to give an account of what they have done with their talents. He commended the first two as he did in Matthew 25:23 and punished the one who buried his talent.

The lesson from the parable is that, God has given everybody a talent, a special natural ability like singing, dancing, playing instruments, acting etc. He expects each of us to use this talent to win more souls into the kingdom of heaven. On judgment day, (Matthew 25:31-46) we shall all give account of what we did with our talents. Those who used their talents well will be commended and rewarded. The ones like the servant with one talent, who bury theirs will be punished Matthew 25:30.
I believe everyone will want to hear God say
“well done” for the good work we did.

How can we use our talents well?
we can use our talents well by:
 Identifying our talents
2 chronicles 2:7
Ecclesiastes 9: 10

 Determine how you can use it
2 Corinthians 4:5-7

 No being discouraged by obstacles
2 Corinthians 4:17 –8

Identifying our talents
2 chronicles 2:7

Send me, therefore, a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, and in purple, crimson and blue yarn, and experienced in the art of engraving to work in Judah and Jerusalem with my skilled workers whom my father David provided. As you grow up, you gradually become aware of the things or task that you can perform excellently.

You might realize that you can draw, sing, good at playing certain instruments etc. when you identify what you can do very well, try and pick the one you excel in. practice your skills in this area, you can ask other for comments as well to help you confirm that it is your talent.
The verse quoted from 2 chronicles 2:7 indicates that certain people have skills or have the ability to do certain things well. It is a natural ability given by God to every man.

When you identify your skills, you can sharpen it by practicing constantly. If it‘s singing, you can listen to songs and sing along trying to imitate voice variations like modulation, singing an octave higher or lower etc.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever you hand find to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

The verse above emphasizes the fact that when you find something to do or you identify your talents use it well while you are alive for when you leave the earth there will be no need for that talent.

Determine how you can use it
2 Corinthians 4:5-7
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servant for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shire out of darkness, hath shined in our heart, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

There are three major facts, the Apostles Paul highlights;

 First we are to preach Christ

 God has given us knowledge of the glory of Christ so we can preach the message

 We are only vessels being used by God.
The first and most important thing is that we are to preach Christ. there are several ways we can present the message:

 It can be done through preaching on the pulpit at church, on radio internet etc.

 It can be done through song, drama, dance etc.

 It can be done by sending message on social media.

 It can be done through street evangelism (holding cards with the message at street corners

 It can be done on public transport, taxi, trotro, train, tube, bus etc.

 It can be done through dawn broadcasting

Look at the various ways the word can be preached and determine which of the ways you can use your talent to preach the word.
When you decide you decide on which approach to use pray for God to give you directions on how you can use your talent to preach the word.
You are a vessel God is depending on to spread the word. He has given you a talent, use it to the glory of His name.

Not being discouraged by obstacles
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporary; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Our adversary the devil, knows how important it is for us to use our talents. Therefore, he will put obstacles in our way and difficulties to discourage us and prevent us from using our talents.
Do not look for commendations from man, or people around you, determine in your heart that no matter what happens you will use your talents.
If it is singing, sing in church and at Christian programs to win souls. Or if you are good at drawings, an artist, you can draw pictures and add bible quotations from the bible and create a salvation story, you can post to your friends in your contact list to win souls.
If you are good at cooking, you can organize bible studies or discussions in your home where you serve food or refreshments to maintain people’s interest. You can then preach the message of salvation to them.
There are several things you can do with your talents to win souls.

Conclusion
Determine in your hearts that you will win souls with your talents no matter the cost. Work tirelessly to draw people to the kingdom of God such that on Judgement day, god will say
“WELL DONE”
Think about the words of this song!
Well done, well done
Good and faithful
Servant
Well done
When I stand before the lord
I wanna hear Him say
Well done
When I stand before the lord
I wanna hear him say
Well done.

References
1. King James bible
2. Oxford English Minidictionary
3. Google.com