The fact that faithfulness is something that is celebrated as an admirable trait and faithfulness is commanded of us as stewards, then it behooves us to seek to be faithful in all things. The writer of the book of Proverbs, however, pointed out that, as a rare gem, is faithfulness found.

Proverbs 20:6 (ESV) — 6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

Faithfulness begins with faithfulness to God. If a person isn’t faithful to God, then any other aspect of faithfulness is only a show. Here’s why.

1. God is faithful. This is a marvelous attribute of God and one upon which you can rely.

Lamentations 3:19–23 (ESV) — 19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (ESV) — 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV) — 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Timothy 2:11–13 (ESV) — 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

2. God is the provider of all things that we have or enjoy, therefore He holds us accountable as stewards and stewards are to be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (ESV) — 1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Luke 16:10–12 (ESV) — 10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

3. God commends those who have been faithful; therefore, it would serve us well to take heed to the examples in the Bible such as Moses, Abraham, and Caleb.

Hebrews 3:5 (ESV) — 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later,

Galatians 3:9 (KJV) — 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Joshua 14:9 (ESV) — 9 And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’

4. God makes it clear in His word the practical ways in which we can be faithful, namely, to not seek our own glory or do things to be seen, for faith from which our faithfulness flows leads to good works. When you consider whatever you do as merely being a good steward, this leads to an increase in faith.

Proverbs 25:27 (ESV) — 27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

James 2:18 (ESV) — 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV) — 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Luke 17:5–10 (ESV) — 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

A focus upon faithfulness is quite beneficial because it will draw us closer to God in a better understanding and appreciation of His faithfulness. It will help us in our service to God, that we avoid the abomination of being nonchalant in serving Him. It will help us in our appreciation for and our taking lessons from those who are listed in the Bible as being faithful, and our lives will prove to benefit by our actions of faithfulness. Just consider how your faithfulness to your mate in marriage, faithfulness to your children, faithfulness to your church, and faithfulness to your community and country all are greatly needed.

It takes discipline to be faithful to the decision you make to be faithful in all aspects of life. It takes power beyond yourself to remain faithful, but the power is available from the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, who is a merciful and faithful high priest interceding on our behalf. In other words, striving for faithfulness is not impossible. It is if you try to go at it alone, but if you seek to abide in the Lord Jesus Christ and His word abides in you, you will rely upon Him as one who is utterly dependent and He will work out faithfulness in all aspects of your life.

John 15:4–5 (ESV) — 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Godspeed,

Bob Brubaker, Pastor

Christ Community Presbyterian Church

Clearwater, FL

Check out our podcast, The Power Break Podcast, wherever you download podcasts or from our website: www.bobbrubaker.com