And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 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 so 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 due to the sincere intention in them, their lord, whom they served, surprised them and rewarded them beyond what they could ever have imagined. And he didn’t reward them simply because they multiplied their talent, but because of the intent they possessed in their hearts.

Many do the same as these servants did for God and even more, but they are not rewarded because they did it with the wrong intention. They multiply the talents aiming at recognition and rewards. They strive to do the things of God to achieve a title or privilege, without being aware that they are simply servants. They are trying to put themselves over many things, rather than being at the disposal of their Lord and be placed wherever He desires.

God’s principles govern His Kingdom, not the principles of men. For God, being surpasses doing. When you do something that does not match who you are, or what you possess within yourself, then you are doing it in vain. For I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind… Jeremiah 17.10

Don’t serve God with the intention of receiving something in return. Serve with the intention of serving. And the Spirit of God will place you where He wants you to be. Do not seek your will or the places you want to be because you will never obtain them. But seek the will of God, and your Lord will establish you over places you have never even imagined.