Topic: CALL TO FAITHFULNESS 1 Corinthians 4:2

The call to faithfulness is a clarion call among church people or children of God today

What then is faithfulness? Faithfulness is the art of being sincere, honest, and devoted in order to merit God’s approval. It is also not being dubious, but to be trustworthy in all things. Hebrews 3:1-3

In whatever we do here on earth, it is expected of us to be faithful, in discharging our duties and or callings.

Faithfulness is one of the ingredients acceptable to God, and marks us out as not being man pleasers. Galatia 1:10. As children of God, and His minister, faithfulness must rule our hearts.

Our God Himself is faithful;He is devoted, committed and trustworthy to His Word and promises to us Isaiah 55:10-11God is very dependable and trustworthy to His promises. As His children, He also require faithfulness and truthfulness from us as true image and likeness. Genesis 1:26-27

 

The 3 Areas of Faithfulness to be Examined Luke 16: 10-12

  1. Faithfulness in little thing.

 

God usually start with.

Example:

  • Adam and Eve – to populate the earth Genesis 5:1-2
  • Abraham and Sarah – to make them parents of stars and nations – Genesis 15:1-6

That is the attitude of God. He loves to start with little, even though He has the power to start big.

  1. David – 1 Samuel 17:20
  • David was faithful with the few sheep of his father entrusted in his hands, and he meticulously looked after them. 1 Samuel 17:20
  • David laid his life down to deliver his sheep from the lion and dear that wanted to devour them.

1 Samuel 17:34-36It is not surprising that God committed the nation of Israel to his hand, to keep and to shepherd Psalm 78:70-72

  1. Recognise and appreciate little beginning.
  • Most people started with little beginning and before you know it, became big and large now. Job 8:7
  • Never despite the little beginning, but be faithful with it as God demanded – Zechariah 4:10
  • David’s little beginning paid off for him, and he was entrusted with nation of Israel – the people of God.
  • As people and minister of God, our faithfulness with little will deliver big things unto us. Luke 16:10-12
  • David knows the power of anointing in him to make him great in life; despite that, he was still faithful to keep the little sheep of his father. 1 Samuel 17:20                                                                                                                                          
  1. Sometimes, the time of little beginning looks discouraging.
  • When you see the big businesses, the mega churches, and many other things prospering around you but you’re still very little, it can bring discouragement, dejection, and weariness of the heart. Zechariah 4:10
  • Be fully prepared to handle the little responsibility placed in your hand; either at your place of work, office, church, marriage, etc. 1 Timothy 3:5, do them well, without looking back – it could be a test ahead of great assignment coming your way in life.
  • Don’t compare yourself with others, but trust in God.

 

  1. Keep your eyes on the little thing committed to you.
  • David looked after little sheep, despite the anointing of God for greatness in him; he kept his father’s sheep with faithfulness. Psalms 78:70-72
  • God may have called you for great thing in future, but handle well the little in your hand now. Luke 16:10; Matthew 25:23
  • Faithfulness is the main requirement of God from His ministers and from His children. 1Corinthians 4:2

 

  1. Faithfulness with Money.
  • Money is a powerful tool, but also a humble servant, depending on how you handle it.
  • Money is powerful to answer to all things Ecclesiastes 10:9
  • But many times, money can often fail – Genesis 47:15

 

  1. Abraham fought and won only by God’s grace Genesis 14:18-24
  2. Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek Genesis 14:20
  3. Abraham returned the goods to the king of Sodom Genesis 14:21-23
  • Abraham cared for the 318 people that went with him to battle, and made them to be paid Genesis 14:24

 

  1. See yourself as God’s steward – like Pa Abraham
  • Despite that Abraham put his life down in wave, he still was not greedy or in a hurry to get riches therein.
  • We must have the right mentality with our money because it is God that give us life, sense, power, health etc. to get money, not ourselves. Deuteronomy 8:18-19
  • When we have the right mentality, then we can get good attitude with our money – Otherwise when money comes to our hand, we become crazy, arrogant, and disobedient to God’s will.
  • Consider yourself as steward and your money as God’s resources. 1 Chronicles 29:12-14

 

  1. Tithe and offerings Malachi 3:9-10
  • Honour God with your tithe and allof your life Proverb 3:9
  • Set apart what belong to God (no matter how big or small your income) Matthew 22:21
  • Can you complain to the government that your personal or family expense is too much, that you cannot pay your tax (even it is deducted before the rest is paid to you or your bank account)?
  • The blessing of Abraham is for obedient children
  • Tithe is honouring God. It is part of a covenant; and not what we do occasionally or when it is convenient (Be faithful with money).
  • If you cannot be trusted in tithe, God will not give you His riches, as he did for Abraham.

 

  1. Don’t Grap greedily, for quick money or reward
  • Greediness is the attitude of people today. Proverb 15:27
  • All what Abraham collected in the war belong to the king of Sodom, but Abraham released all, only the wages of the men went with him. Genesis 14:21-24
  1. Abraham paid the tithe to Melchizedek
  2. He returned the rest to King of Sodom
  3. He cared for the men that went with him.

 

  1. Faithfulness in Other People’s Property Genesis 39

 

  1. Joseph was very industrious – Genesis 39:3-6
  2. Joseph’s faithfulness to his master – Genesis 39:7-8
  3. Joseph knew his limit and boundary Genesis 39:9
  • Faithfulness with other people’s property, including their wives. We must be very careful with what does not belong to us; but be a faithful steward.
  • Faithfulness at work, company or government. Faithfulness of church’s propertiesetc.
  • Church and Ministry are God’s property – He owns it. Acts 20:28
  • Many ministers are not faithful with the money of God in their possession. One example is Judas John 12:6; 13:29
  • Joseph’s master committed all his life and his house into his hands Genesis 39:5-6
  • Joseph was very faithful as burden bearer forhis master.
  • Are you dependable, trustworthy as pillar? Can you be a Joseph to your master or a David?

 

  1. As stated earlier, Joseph knew his boundary and limit.
  • Do you know your limit in handling God’s money?

 

God bless you all

SHALOM