Todd Bailey Ministries

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Faithfulness (Part 2)

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In the previous article, we covered examples of faithfulness and what faithfulness means in practical terms:

(1)   Faithfulness means to obey God.  To be faithful means to do what God says to do.  That means obeying His Word and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

(2)   Faithfulness means to choose right.  Our choices can affect the outcome of a day, a month, a year, a life, and even eternity. The first step in having successful results from our choices in life is to make initial choices based in the Word. The second step is to have corresponding action in relation to that choice. 

(3)   Faithfulness is being honest.  Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”  A person who is faithful will speak the truth in love.  Be thankful for the people who will speak into your life and correct you so you can be successful in life!

(4)   Faithfulness means to be loyal.  It is especially important to be loyal to and defend those with whom we have a close relationship, and those who are in authority over us.  The world would have us think that we don’t owe anything to anyone.  But to those who have done something for us, sacrificed for us, prayed for us, mentored us, we do owe something:  our loyalty. 

(5)   Faithfulness means to be dependable.   Psalm 15:4 describes someone who keeps their promises, even when it hurts.  Being dependable is not always convenient, and sometimes hurts our flesh.  A faithful person follows through on their commitments, even if it means personal sacrifice, before moving on to something else.

(6)   Faithfulness is trusting God - even when the circumstances say otherwise.  You don’t need to know how something is going to happen; you just need to know Who. 

Faithfulness applies to any situation – big or small.  God will not reward you for the position or worldly success you attain but He will reward your faithfulness to do what He has called you to do.

In the parable of the talents, Jesus spoke of two servants rewarded by their master for their faithfulness. 

Matthew 25:14-23 (NIV)

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents beside them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' "

Because the servants were faithful with what they had, their master entrusted them with more.  But notice something about this passage of scripture.  The first servant multiplied his talents 100% - he was given 5 talents, and made an additional 5 more (roughly $2,500,000 in today’s currency).  What was his reward?

  1. Praise from the Master.  “Well, done, good and faithful servant.”
  2. A promotion.  “You were faithful over a few things.  I will make you ruler over many things.”
  3. A bright future.  “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” 

The second servant also multiplied his talents 100%.  He received two talents, and made an additional two more.  He didn’t even make half of what the first servant made, but his reward was exactly the same.  Faithfulness is what these two servants had in common that brought them the same reward. Likewise, God will reward us as well when we are faithful with the gifts and abilities he has given us, whether big or small, public or private.

Ephesians 6:8 (NLT)

Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Our Father has promised us the rewards of faithfulness.  God rewards believers in recognition of faithful service, both on earth and in heaven.  We know that Jesus is coming back for His church.  May we be found faithful upon His triumphant return!

Revelation 22:12

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

Consider this:  your faithfulness not only makes a difference in your life, but also for the lives, and salvation of others.  I will leave you with this last story to encourage you to live a life of faithfulness in these last days.  Someone is counting on you.

An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. “Pastor,” said the man, “something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There’s been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he’s just a boy.”

The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. “I feel it all,” he replied, “but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.” On that day the minister’s heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign.

After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, “Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher—perhaps a missionary?”

Again tears welled up in the minister’s eyes. “Ah, this heals the ache I feel,” he said. “Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher.”

Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ , reaching even some of Africa’s most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish kirk.

Lord, help us to be faithful. Then give us the grace to leave the results to you.

Source unknown

Proverbs 20:6 says,Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?”  I want to encourage you to be found faithful in all that you do.  How worthwhile it will be when you hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Ruth 2:12 (New Living Translation)
May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.