The Reward of Faithfulness

The Reward of Faithfulness

By Apostle Felix

10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 
11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 

Luke 16: 10, 11

Jesus in His attempt to teach faithfulness, He gave a parable of a shrewd manager, who was employed by a very rich man. The shrewd manager was dishonest and his employer, the rich man asked him to submit an audit report of the rich man’s estate. Not only did the employer ask for an audit report, but he dismissed the shrewd manager as well. He was not dismissed immediately, but the employer asked him to submit an audit report before he left. The rich man did not realize the shrewdness of his employee. Between the time he received the dismal letter and the day of his departure, the manager decided to shrewdly make friends with his employer’s customers by scraping off part of the debt they owed. On the contrary, the rich man recommended the shrewd manager upon discovering the scheme.

Luk 16:8  And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Luke 16: 8

Jesus made a shocking statement about the children of this world. He said that the children of this world are wiser than the children of light. That statement sounds like a paradox. How can Jesus be speaking well of evil. But we have to understand the message Jesus was conveying to His disciples and those who were around. He was not promoting shrewdness, but faithfulness. The shrewd manager saw his master’s wealth as a mean to secure his future for his own advantage. The act was self-centred. Conversely, Jesus wants believers to be generous and faithful with their wealth. The shrewd manager was wise according to worldly standards. That’s how it is done in the world. But you and I are notof the world, though we are in the world. We longer live by worldly standards and  the way of doing things.

19  If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own. But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you. I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be mine.
John 15: 19

The world has its own system, and the kingdom of God has its own system. The world is lust driven, while the kingdom of God is love driven. The shrewd manager was committed to applying the worldly system for his own benefit. The children of light do not apply the system of the Kingdom of God.

9  And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 

Luke 16: 9

Jesus was actually teaching good stewardship, which is faithfulness to His disciples. Faithfulness goes with generosity. You cannot be faithful without being generous, and vice versa. Faithfulness refers to the quality of being reliable, loyal, and true to one’s commitments, promises, or obligations. The people of this word are very committed to their system. They are faithful to their own. Conversely, God expects us, believers to be faithful to the system of the kingdom of God. We have to be generous with our resources. Jesus said that we are to make to ourselves friends of the unrighteous money. He did not mean money is evil, but Jesus was stressing the negative influence money can exert on the unfaithful. Our generosity can help many who may not have food, accommodation, clothing, school fees and many in various problems. The reward of such  generosity has eternal benefits. The first benefit is allowing yourself becoming God’s extension of generosity in the earth. The people you help will definitely see God’s love towards them, and accept the forgiveness of God in their lives. That’s an eternal reward.

10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 

Luke 16: 10, 11

Another reward of faithfulness is increase. Faithfulness is the proper management of the resources God has entrusted with us. The ability to manage well, ensures increase. God cannot allow increase in the area you are mismanaging. Before you pray for increase, check your management. How are you managing the current? Whatever you mismanage will begin to swindle. Faithfulness is key to increase. Manage your resources well. You can be careless with your bicycle and expect God to give you a motorbike.