Good and Faithful

Matthew 25:21 & 26
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.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.

The master calls is servants by two names, "good and faithful" and "wicked and lazy." I don't think he doubles up the names for literary effect. The first word describes the quality of the servants' hearts, "good" or "wicked." The second word describes the lifestyle produced from such a heart, "faithful" or "lazy." The good servant, out of the goodness (Godness, Lk 18:19) inside is faithful in living as the master would have him life. He knew the master to be kind, merciful and generous (Mt 25:36-40) and therefore invested his life in behaving this way. The wicked servant clearly did not know or understand the master (v. 24). His distorted view led him to neglect the master and his priorities (Mt. 25:41-45).
While at the surface, this parable seems to suggest that God is more concerned with our works and behavior than our faith or fear of God, the exact opposite is true. Right theology and a right relationship with the Father will always produce a lifestyle that honors Him. These priorities, lived out or neglected, are what can be seen and measured. These are the measure of our faith, not the content of it.
So how does my lifestyle measure up? Do my decisions and priorities reflect a right view and relationship with the Father or have I become lazy in my view of Him? Would be qualified to be called "good and faithful?"

Father - deepen my understanding of You. Sharpen my vision of who You are. Remind me of Your presence and Your priorities. Help me to be good and faithful in all that I do. Amen.