B. Mt. 25:14-30 1. Note the master trusted the servants according to their ability 2. Who was the good and faithful servant? -- the one who simply performed according to his ability 3. The unfaithful servant is the one who didn't even do what he was capable of doing C. Mt. 25:31-46 1. Clearly, the Lord will look for the faithful 2. The faithful are those who are consistently doing God's will 3. The faithful don't seem to have to think about things because it has become a natural response 4. The unfaithful don't recognize things because faith is a foreign response to them II. EIGHT IMPORTANT LESSONS TO LEARN ABOUT FAITHFULNESS A. Faithful people are those whose goal is to please God (believe + obey) B. Faithful people know that faithfulness is not just a one-time act, but a life-long pursuit C. Faithful people know God never asks for more than one can give, but he does ask for what one has D. Faithful people are not afraid to fail because success is not the test -- faithfulness is E. Faithful people do not play games with church, but realize the body of Christ is God's opportunity for us to serve F. Faithful people know that faith is practical as much in small deeds of kindness and compassion as in extraordinary deeds of bravery and sacrifice G. Faithful people are those who spend more time trying to be what God wants rather than trying to flirt with what God doesn't want H. Faithful people practice a faith that goes beyond the walls of a church building into daily living CONCLUSION A. Back to Mt 25:14-30 1. There is a world of difference between the statements made to the faithful servants and that made to the unfaithful one