Faithfulness

Mar

2024

Embracing Accountability

Measure of Knowledge

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. 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 12:47-48 (NIV)

In these verses, Jesus introduces a principle that emphasizes the importance of responsibility and accountability.

Weight of Understanding

Knowledge and understanding come with a certain level of responsibility.

Those who have been given insight into the will and character of God are held to a higher standard of obedience and faithfulness.

Consequence of Neglect

Jesus warns that those who have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, yet fail to act accordingly, will face greater consequences.

Neglecting the responsibilities that come with knowledge is a serious matter, one that will be met with “many blows.”

Call to Stewardship

However, this principle is not meant to be a source of fear or condemnation. Rather, it is a call to embrace our role as stewards of the knowledge and resources entrusted to us by God.

We are called to use our understanding wisely, to faithfully carry out the tasks set before us, and to honor the trust placed in us.

As you reflect on this principle, do not shrink back from the responsibilities placed upon you. Instead, embrace them with humility, diligence, and a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities you have been given.

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“One Minute with God”

Feb

2024

Representing the One Who Sent You

Luke 10:16 – “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Authority Not Our Own

When Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples to preach and heal, he gave them authority to carry out those ministries in his name.

Their authority came directly from him. Jesus said whoever listened to them, listened to him. And whoever rejected them, rejected him and the One who sent him – God the Father.

The authority of the seventy-two was not their own but derived from being representatives of Jesus.

Weight of His Commission

This is an immense responsibility! The disciples went out proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom of God with authority from heaven’s throne room.

People’s reception or rejection of them meant reception or rejection of Christ himself and the Father. That’s no small commission!

The disciples represented a direct delegation from the highest possible authority. Their message and actions carried eternal weight.

Faithfulness in Small Things

At first glance, the disciples were a seemingly ragtag group to bear such a sacred charge. Yet God often chooses the small, unimpressive and ordinary to carry his authority.

It’s easy to feel our words or deeds for Christ are insignificant. But there is no greater privilege than representing the Son of God to the world, no matter how humble the assignment.

Each act of faithful service matters.

Hearing from a Holy Envoy

The flip side is that every Christian today carries this same gravity as the seventy-two. Those we interact with are, in effect, hearing from a representative of the Lord himself through us.

Our character and conduct have significance beyond ourselves.

We must consider carefully how to represent Jesus well to others through both speech and action. What an honor to serve as His envoy!

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“One Minute with God”

Dec

2023

Big Faithfulness in Little Things

Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

Much of life is made up of small, ordinary assignments. The vast majority of our time is spent on minor tasks – the laundry, dishes, emails and errands that fill unremarkable days but don’t seem to matter much.

It’s tempting to cut corners on the little things, assuming insignificance equals insignificance.

But this verse reveals that small assignments provide critical tests that train us for greater ones. How we steward the mundane matters profoundly.

Seeds of Greatness

Approach each minor responsibility as an opportunity to demonstrate faithfulness. Bring your best effort, energy and integrity to ordinary tasks.

Permit no compromising shortcuts. Pay attention to details. Be trustworthy in trifles, and God will entrust you with greater treasure.

Small Tests

The Bible teaches that God intentionally allows small difficulties and tests of character to assess if we are ready for larger trials and more responsibility.

Passing minor tests proves our trustworthiness for greater things.

Living with integrity in everyday details – keeping promises, tithing pennies, displaying patience – doesn’t guarantee an easy life. But it does strengthen resolve and godly character required for heavier assignments ahead.

Small Steps

Identify one minor area where you need to build faithfulness.

Maybe it’s keeping your workspace tidy or being on time for appointments.

Set a small goal and stick to it. Let small successes build stability and wisdom for bigger challenges.

Warning Signs

Dishonesty and irresponsibility don’t happen in a vacuum. Patterns of poor character are revealed in small things first.

Ignoring minor infractions and lack of conscientiousness sets us up for major failure down the road.

Don’t disregard seemingly insignificant thoughts, words or actions that violate your conscience.

Nip sin in the bud through quick repentance. Seek God’s help to walk uprightly in the everyday. Minor missteps lead to major downfalls.

Fight Complacency

Ask God to reveal any “little” places in your life where you’ve slipped into compromised thinking or lazy habits.

Commit to immediate course correction, knowing these patterns can quickly grow.

Remain vigilant. The best time to stop moral erosion is before it becomes an avalanche.

Worthy Servants

Faithfulness now in mundane matters and minor moral choices demonstrates your readiness to be entrusted with greater responsibility in God’s kingdom.

He desires to expand your assignments but will not put you in over your head.

As we steward our days and choices well for His glory, God is pleased to give more influence.

Our eternal rewards will correspond to the character and dedication we build in these hidden years of ordinary service.

Wait Patiently

Keep walking uprightly in private when it feels like your work is unseen. Allow the Holy Spirit to develop faithfulness and Christlike virtue within.

Wait patiently for God to promote you in His timing. The path to greater influence passes through small but sacred duties.