STEWARDSHIP FOCUS
FAITHFULNESS John Butler
His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21)
This verse is repeated in verse 23. When a verse is repeated, pay attention; tor when God repeats, it indicates importance. And what these verses talk about is very important, for they talk about faithfulness. Few things are so important in our character as faithfulness.
Lack of faithfulness means lack of character. In our verse are three truths about faithfulness. They concern the review of faithfulness, the revealer of faithfulness, and the reward for faithfulness.
Review of faithfulness. This verse comes from a parable about a man who left on a journey. Before he left, he gave some money to some of his servants. When he returned, he reviewed their stewardship of the money. This parable is a picture of the activity of the Lord.
He has given each of us gifts and responsibilities. When He returns, He will check up on our faithfulness. Are you tempted to be unfaithful today thinking it does not matter. Think again. Christ will one day check up on you.
Revealer of faithfulness. “Thou hast been faithful over a few things.” Faithfulness was demonstrated by how these men handled a few things. “Few” here means things of small significance.
These men were faithful in small matters. Our faithfulness is revealed in how we do in small matters. If you cannot be faithful in small matters, you will not be faithful in big matters. The real you is seen in small matters. Do not despise small responsibilities. Do them the best you can.
Reward for faithfulness. “I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” It pays to be faithful. The world may mock it as unimportant, but God does not. If you want rewards from God, be faithful.
If you want promotion in God’s service, be faithful where you are now even though it is a small place of service. If you want to know something of the joy of the Lord, be faithful. Real joy does not come without faithfulness.