I've started studying the parable of the "talents" in Luke 19.  I looked at the verses just before the beginning of the parable and compared it to the verses just before the same parable in Matthew and Mark, as well as a verse on a similar topic in Acts.  Here are some thoughts. 

            Acts 1:6-8  Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"  And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

            Matthew 25:14-30 has his version of this parable, and the verse before it says, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

            Mark 13:32-37 has a shortened version, in which Jesus warns His disciples to "watch"-be diligent and alert.  The verse before that version of the parable says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." 

a. There are things the Father knows that you do not, will not and probably never will learn.  He will always know more than we know, even though we grow and learn forever.  For now, ask, "where is the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit?"  (Acts)

b.  Pay attention, to the gifts you have, to how you are using those gifts, to the people with whom you have some influence.  Ask yourself daily, "am I ready to meet my Master today?"  If not, why not?   (Matthew)

c.  His words are food for the soul, and will never pass away.  Have I pondered them today?  (Mark)

These are some thoughts about how to be one of those people who hear "well done" when they meet Christ.