Faithful in Little
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. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
Luke 16:10-12
To understand the value of faithfulness is to understand the value of wealth. God given wealth and worldly wealth are 2 seperate things. Worldly wealth says “Get rich or die trying.” Godly wealth, on the other hand, is concerned with advancing God’s interests and therefore understands the value of faithfulness with what He gives you. It encourages good stewardship because you know it does not belong to you, but to Him.
We learnt previously that God’s definition of success is fruitfulness in what He has told you to do. But, fruitfulness is not possible in the absence of faithfulness.
The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Matthew 25:20-23
The master commended the servants for their faithfulness with the little he had given them. Note his words, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” By making this statement to the 2 servants, the master echoed Jesus’ words in Luke 16:10-12. Their faithfulness with the little they were entrusted with led to an increase in the wealth entrusted to them.
But what happened to the 3rd servant who did nothing with the little wealth entrusted to him?
So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
Matthew 25:28-29
Because of his unfaithfulness, the little he had was taken away from him and given to the one who had proven himself faithful.
What is the definition of faithful as used in this context? Worthy of trust.
The first two servants proved that the master could trust them with his wealth.
Your Turn
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…
Zecchariah 4:10
We live in a time where we demand wealth and success NOW! We graduate from school and expect to be millionaires by the time we are in our mid twenties. And while this may be the reality for a few, it is not nor should it be the norm for the majority. Why?
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
Proverbs 13:11
If you cannot be trusted with $1, why will God trust you with $1,000,000?
If you will not advance His interests with $1, how will you advance His interests with $ 1,000,000?
If you cannot practice good stewardship of $1, will you be able to practice proper stewardship with $1,000,000?
God is clear in His Word. If you want Him to entrust you with great wealth, prove yourself trustworthy with the wealth you have now.
Start now, where you are with what you have.
God bless you.