Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV)
There are distinguishing attributes of the servant of Christ. We must be obedient, diligent, humble, persevering, courageous, devoted, and uncompromising. Is it possible that all of these could be summed up in a single word, faithful?
In the same way that we could argue that love is the fruit of the spirit, and that joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are descriptive of love. A faithful servant of Christ is obedient, is diligent, is humble, and so on. A person can be courageous without being faithful. But you can’t be faithful without being courageous.
Being faithful is more important than being talented. It does not matter how smart we are if we are not faithful. It can be difficult to find a faithful person. Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? Proverbs 20:6 (NIV)
God will not hold us accountable for resources or blessings that he does not give us. But he did say this: from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48 (NIV). For the child of God, being faithful is not an option.
Consider for a moment what God has entrusted to us. Our great salvation (we must not neglect it. Hebrews 2:3). The ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Even the breath that we breathe, and the days of our lives represent a stewardship for which we will be held accountable. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NLT)
Start Small
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 (NLT)
Do not fall into a trap by thinking that your present circumstances, talents, and resources are too small to matter. As a pastor, as an employer, and even as a parent, we have watched how people handle seemingly small, insignificant tasks. It is foolish to think that if we only give someone more responsibility, then they will be faithful.
God watches us in the same way. It is never about the size of the ministry, or about the visibility of the task. The preacher in Ecclesiastes exhorts: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Paul reminds us of who we are really working for: Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. Colossians 3:23 (TPT)
We have seen that not everyone wants more responsibility. They want to “fly under the radar,” and just get by without being noticed. But today, as he always has, God is looking for those who are willing to “Stand in the gap.” God is looking for faithful servants:
“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell him him him him you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. Matthew 24:45–47 (NLT)
Jesus went on to warn us that it will not go well for unfaithful servants.
Someone Is Watching
So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (TPT)
Many parents have said to their children, “Behave yourself, because your actions reflect on your parents.” I remember receiving that admonition when I was younger. Less attention is given to how much the actions of parent’s impact on their children. This also applies to pastors, teachers, and other leaders.
Several decades ago, there was a song, “Find Us Faithful,” sung by Steve Green, and written by Jon Mohr. I sang it 35 years ago at the dedication of our first child. The lyrics are a powerful reminder of how our faithfulness impacts others, especially the next generation.
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
We must never consider faithfulness to be optional. Do our lives bring glory and honor to God? It is important that our lives shine brightly for God, even when we are not talking. Paul reminds us: May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:11 (NLT)
Well Done
“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ Matthew 25:21 (NLT)
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” These are the words that we long to hear one day. It is worthy to note that Jesus says, good and faithful servant. It is not good and faithful pastor, or good and faithful apostle. Regardless of our position we will be rewarded as servants.
The call and the responsibility are serious. We will be held accountable for how well we steward what God has given us. Whether it is a small amount, or a vast sum, faithfulness is imperative. In some ways faithfulness is its own reward. A faithful person will be richly blessed… Proverbs 28:20 (NIV)
Above many other things, I pray that God will find each one of us to be faithful.
Steve Ekeroth