David R. de Beer
Faithfulness
In Matthew 25:14-23, Jesus tells the parable of the talents, where a master entrusts his property to his servants before going on a journey. The servants are given different amounts of talents according to their abilities, and upon the master's return, those who were faithful with what they were given are praised and rewarded.
This parable illustrates the importance of faithfulness in utilising what God has entrusted to us.
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five
talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two
talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Matthew 25: 14-23
Faithfulness in the Bible
When the Bible describes someone as 'faithful,' it refers to how much others can trust that person to do as he says or be who he says he is. A faithful person keeps the faith of those who put their trust in him.
Faithfulness is rooted in the Hebrew word "Emet," which can mean truth, trust, stability and faithfulness.
Faithfulness involves reliability and steadfastness, as seen in the actions of biblical figures and stories like Moses, David, and Abraham, and ultimately in the character of God.
Exodus 17:12
But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady (emet) until the going down of the sun.
Exodus 18:21
Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy (emet) and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
1 Kings 3:6
6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness (emet), in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
Trusting in God's Faithfulness
The Bible portrays a God who has been faithful all along and whose promises were fulfilled in Jesus. Our faithfulness should reflect God's faithfulness, which is unchanging and reliable.
As Christians, we highly value God's faithfulness, knowing that what He has promised, He is able to perform.
Romans 4:21
"being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
2 Timothy 2:13
"If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself"
Cultivating Faithfulness
Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit and a quality that we must diligently cultivate. Psalm 37:3 encourages us to "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness."
This means developing faithfulness until it becomes part of our character.
Psalm 37:3
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Galatians 5 - 22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
How to live out Faithfulness
Jesus teaches that "One who is faithful in little is also faithful in much" (Luke 16:10). Our
faithfulness in small responsibilities prepares us for greater ones. By identifying the people and responsibilities God has entrusted to us and committing to faithfulness in these areas, we reflect God's own faithfulness and are prepared for greater tasks in His kingdom.
Luke 16:10
"One who is faithful in little is also faithful in much”
Comments