Faithful men are the backbone of the church’s ministry.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)
Most men think more highly of themselves than they should. They desire positions of ministry but have not yet been proven faithful.
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6)
Faithfulness always has an object. We each have people or things we are called to be faithful TO.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. (Hebrews 3:1,2)
Servants, or “ministers,” of Christ are stewards. Stewards are called to be faithful.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:1,2)
A steward is one who has been given something from his master to oversee or take care of for his master. Faithfulness in what we have been given to do leads to the giving of greater responsibility.
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. (Luke 12:42-44)
Faithfulness is tested in small things.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, 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 25:22,23)
How we handle money is a big test of our faithfulness.
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (Luke 16:10,11)
We need God’s help to be faithful.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12)
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. (1 Corinthians 7:25)
To be faithful we must count on God being faithful to us.
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Being faithful involves bearing the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. No matter what we do we are “nothing” if we do not “prove” faithful in our own work.
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. (Galatians 6:3-5)
The burdens God gives His stewards pertain to serving others, not pleasing themselves.
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. (Romans 15:1,2)
When God entrusts a stewardship into our hands necessity is laid upon us. We have a duty to do. We are called to be faithful in the discharge of our duty whether we feel like it or not.
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. (1 Corinthians 9:16,17)
When necessity is laid upon us God calls us to grow in the grace and strength of Christ.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
How we serve others is important to God. To transform our attitude into one of cheerful giving, He would make all grace abound toward us.
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Our labor in the Lord should always be a “labor of love.”
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
We are not to pretend to love. We are not to be slothful in serving others.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord (Romans 12:9-11)
No one made Jesus do anything. God’s commandments were not grievous to Him. Love for the Father was the motivation for His faithfulness.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:17:18)
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. (John 14:31)
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Ephesians 5:1,2)