Monday, July 9, 2012

BE FAITHFUL IN WHAT, BIBLICALLY ?



                                                                

The Scriptures clearly commands that we must be faithful in six specific areas of our lives. They are:

1. Faithful in small things. (Luke 16:10). The analogy is simple, whoever cannot overcome small temptations, cannot possibly overcome bigger temptations; likewise, whoever is unfaithful in small matters cannot be faithful in bigger matters.


2. Faithful with worldly wealth (Luke 16:11). We know money can do many things, though not all things. Since, it has the potential to do things; it can be easily idolized. Therefore, the Lord uses very same money to test our affinity to it and deals with us accordingly.


3. Faithful with what belongs to others (Luke 16:12). How can God hold us accountable for what belongs to others? Yes, some times the Lord gives us money or material things earmarked for some specific person but if we are not sensitive to His leading, we will be branded as being ‘unfaithful with what belongs to others.’


4. Faithful in fulfilling our responsibilities (Luke 12:42). Irresponsibility has no place in spirituality. Whatever the Lord has entrusted us with, including the secular job, we are expected do it as unto the Lord.


5. Faithful to one’s spouse (Heb 13:4). The Bible says ‘no one can serve two masters’; this does not need any further explanation.


6. Faithful under trails, even unto death (James 1:12 & Revelation 2:10). Final testing has to do with trails and death. Bible says: “Whoever loves his own life will lose it . . .” (Mathew 10:39).


In Joshua 23:14 (CEV), Joshua said: “I will soon die, as everyone must. But deep in your hearts you know that the LORD has kept every promise he ever made to you. Not one of them has been broken.” Isn’t our Lord so very faithful that He keeps every promise that He made or makes? Therefore, He expects us to be faithful too.

Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful." (Beyond Hunger, Beals)

Chasing success over faithfulness leads to sin and shame; preferring faithfulness over success leads to blessing and honor. When faithfulness is our priority, God will give us success at His own time and as per His own way.

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