Faithfulness in God’s service

By: Rev. Dr. Bitrus Audu

Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Bags of Gold.

To be faithful is to be truthful and honest or sincere in one’s consistent commitment to someone or something to the very end. Service on the other hand, means to do something for the benefit of someone or others (1 Pet. 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift he has received, to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms).  

To be faithful in God’s service therefore, is to be truthful, honest and consistent in our commitment to doing the things that advance the purposes/interests of God here on earth to the very end, no matter what.  Faithfulness, more than anything else, is what God requires from all of His servants who have been given the trust of preaching the gospel (1 Cor. 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful).  Whether we would be punished or rewarded by the Lord at the end of our ministries, all depends on how faithful we have been in the ministry entrusted in our hands.

THE FOUNDATION FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE TO GOD

• Faithful service to God begins with knowing and appreciating your talents, gifts and areas of calling with all clarity. This is the most remarkable difference between those servants whom the Lord commended as “Faithful servants” and the one whom he called “wicked servant.” The Bible says: “Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant” (1 Cor. 12:1) “to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it… He gave gifts to men” (Eph. 4:7-8).  Without a clear knowledge of your talents, gifts and calling you would not have a genuine vision.  Your labor in life will simply be out of point.  At best, you may labor in another man’s duty post while yours remain neglected because of ignorance

• To be faithful in God’s service, you must remain within the confinement of your talents, gifts or calling based on the measure of grace Christ apportioned to you (Romans 12:3-8).  Where has God sent you to labor?  What role has the grace of Christ apportioned to you?  Note that the talents were given to them, “each according to his ability” (Matt 25:15).  Success and faithfulness in the eyes of God is not quantity, fame, or wealth etc., it is simply doing what he has apportioned to you according to your ability and completing it.  You cannot change the measure of grace God apportioned to you, no matter how hard you try.  The best you can do is to be faithful and God will do whatever he wants with your faithfulness.

• Put in your very best in putting your gifts/talents to work with all diligence.  The “wicked servant” was also called “lazy” servant.  The faithful servants “went at once” and put their talents to work immediately (without delay), knowing that their Master could come back any time.  Perhaps this was their major secret: they went to work at once! To be faithful in God’s service we must make every effort to manage our time, energy and financial resources judiciously in line with our calling.  We must work hard in prayer, fasting, endurance, patience, faith, preaching, teaching etc., and do whatever we need to do to keep us working with our talents, gifts, or calling (Phil. 3:8-14).  Beware of getting involved in “civilian affairs “(2 Tim. 2:4)

• Show integrity and hold on to a good conscience in your ministry of the word of God.  Beware of distortion for any reason (2 Cor. 4:1-3, 2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Pet. 5:1-4).

In conclusion, What is your assignment (talents, gifts and calling) from the Lord?  Are you using your time, energy and resources diligently in executing your mandate?  What would the Lord find you doing with your life? Luke 12:42-48