Faithfulness

Mt 25:14-15

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. KJV

We have been looking at the Parable of the servants which teaches about faithfulness. Each one of us will give account of the gifts God has given to us, gifts given to build His Kingdom. Playing it safe, burying your talent and doing nothing is not an option. He expects us to do something with our talents, our opportunities, with our strength and energy. It’s not beneficial for us to ignore these verses. I don’t know about you but I want to hear the master say to me, “Well done good and faithful…”

 You understand it is not fair or right to compare a man who was given five talents with one who was given two. You don’t know what somebody is given so it only shows your ignorance to look at externals.  God is looks for faithfulness. And think about you can only be faithful with what you have, what you have been given, what talents, resources, and opportunities you have been given. 

Mt 25:16-23

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. KJV

 Notice the Lord expected and treated these two servants exactly the same yet one servant had a greater results than the other. This gives us a clue as to what the Lord is looking for in our life. And even though the results were different both of these men were faithful to increase their Lord’s talents. And notice that the Lords commendation was exactly the same.

 Now how many in this room really wants to hear those words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” We are talking about the Lord, the head of the church talking about you in front of many witness (all of heaven). You want to hear, “thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” How many of you know all the toil and sweat, and sacrifice of the past life will be just a faint memory at that point! No, all you will be looking at is the Lords joy and pleasure and being given ruler- ship of more, isn’t that right?

 But from this parable we also remember another servant. He was given one talent and if you remember his story you know why the Lord didn’t give him five talents. The scripture says, “unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. (Lk 19:26)

If you don’t understand this God’s ways it might not look fair that for those that have more, more is given and those that don’t even what they have is taken way. But I want you to know God is just and fair! Remember, God knows who will do something with it and who won’t.

 There are many that think if we could just divide all the wealth up and give equal amounts to everybody then everybody would be blessed. In the news right now we have the “99 percenter’s” who are protesting the wealth and greed of the “one percent”. And of course the Bible has something to say about greet doesn’t it? But you know even if you could divide everything out, it would not be long and you would find some using their resources wisely and increasing and some wouldn’t and they would be right back to where they were before. Remember Jesus said if we were faithful in the little we would be faith in the much!

 We dream about what we would do with ten million dollars but the truth is we would do the same thing we are do now with our tens, twenty’s, and fifty’s, exactly the same. You know it’s a stewardship issue and people that learn how to use money properly and how to manage will always receive more. 

 We are going to renew our minds to the word because our time of opportunity is short here on this earth. The door is not always going to be open. And I do not want to approach the Lord with regret.

 So God is watching what you are doing with what we’ve got right now. So if you won’t obey God to give that twenty to that brother or sister you’re not going to be faithful if God to gives you a million to. If you won’t obey him in the tithe of your fifty dollars God knows you will not obey with fifty thousand dollars. The little things matter! Your attitude toward the little opens or closes the door to much. Your faithfulness in the little says much about your character.  

 Again, from this parable we also remember another servant. He was given one talent and if you remember his story you know why the Lord didn’t give him five talents. He might have felt slighted when the Lord passed out those talents…wait a minute you gave him five and him two what’s the big deal here? If he was thinking properly he should have thought, “I got to handle this one right” this is my opportunity to shine here!” Is that what he did?

Mt 25:24-25

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. KJV

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. KJV

 You know everyone wants to hear well done good and faithful servant, but is every one faithful? We have an example from the Lord of two servants that heard it and one of them didn’t hear it. Are you going to hear “Well done good and faithful servant if you have not been faithful?” We need to come to grips with these things we have a door of opportunity open before us but the day is coming when we will stand before the Lord.

 Many at this thought just gets terrified. But you don’t have to be terrified if you are doing all you know to do with what the lord has given you. If you are doing that you can have joy, and confidence.  But the reason many get in fear about these things is we have a lot who are not faithful. We live in a world where no fault religion is popular; “No matter what happens it’s not your fault!” And with Adams transgression we began to blame shift “it’s the woman, it’s the serpent, it’s you God”. You know it’s the republicans fault, the democrats fault, the men’s fault, the women’s fault, my dad’s fault.

 You know one of the first indicators that someone is growing up spiritually is that they begin to take responsibility for their own actions instead of blaming everybody else. We live in a world of excuses but if you are going to grow with God you’ve got to come right back here (pointing to yourself).

Why is my life the way it? It is because of what I have done and what I haven’t done! It is what I have believed and what I have not believed.  Say it out loud; “A faithful Man is a responsible man!” 

I will close with a poem from C.T. Studd:

Only One Life

By C.T. Studd (1860-1931)

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say 'twas worth it all";
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.