Faithfulness

Faithfulness is an important Christian value that is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ told a parable about the kingdom of heaven and faithfulness. Jesus began this illustrative story by saying “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them”. Jesus continues the story by describing that this man gave different amounts of money to his servants so that they could do business and make a profit for him. The man gave to his servants “each according to his ability” . The man gave five talents to the first servant, three talents to the second servant and one to the third. After a long time the man called his servants to him so they can give an account of how much profit they made. The first two doubled the money they were entrusted with and their master said to each of them, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” On the other hand the servant who received one talent buried it in the ground for a long time. He reported to his master “I knew you to be a hard man…And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours”. But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy servant…you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.”

It is important to note that Jesus said “the kingdom of heaven is like” the above parable. So Jesus is illustrating heavenly, and therefore, spiritual matters with this parable. Jesus teaches us that if we are faithful on earth we will be granted heaven. If we are faithful in the present we will be granted eternity. This principle can be applied to many aspects of life because we have been entrusted with love, wisdom, people we know and many other gifts from God. Fatherhood and motherhood are a responsibility. Marriage is a responsibility. The gifts of speech and wisdom are a responsibility. To be faithful with such gifts our words should build others up and encourage them. Serving and helping people is a responsibility. Friendship is also a responsibility as are neighbors and colleagues at work. The Christian value of faithfulness leads a person to realize that his or her life on earth is a responsibility and it is a legacy. God will ask how our life was fruitful, productive and beneficial to all those who were in contact with us. God will ask us about what we have done and what we could have done but we didn’t. God will ask us what we have done or could have done within our limits. As we see in the above parable there is no need for excuses but we need to do our best and not less than what we can do. The Bible says, ” … To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17). The faithful person will question him or herself before he is questioned by God. What can I do for the people I know? How can I respond with love? Can I do better? What about those that I don’t know who need my help? The more one’s sense of responsibility grows, the more the circle of his or her service widens. It all happens through love, not through formalities or point scoring. Through love one’s heart becomes keen to do many acts of service. Love is the greatest responsibility. Love has room for everyone and is always ready to help and serve. Those who are faithful in their spiritual life show this faithfulness in each aspect of their life: in their talk, their behavior, their service, their worship, their relationship with others and their firm stand towards the thoughts and feelings that fight the heart. Jesus says in the Bible, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” (Luke 12:48). Therefore, the sin of preachers, teachers and priests is greater than the sin of others.

Note also that in the parable, each servant was entrusted only “according to his ability”. They were not tested beyond their ability. However, Jesus teaches us that faithfulness with what we have will lead to growth. If we are faithful over a little, God will set us over much. If we are faithful over what we can do, then God will set us over what we can’t. We aren’t required to start with what is beyond our ability because this may lead to failure. Rather, in our spiritual life it is best for us to start with whatever is within our capability because what is within our capability is achievable, constant and permanent. This gives stability to the spiritual life. Don’t be discouraged if your capability is little but do your best and do the best possible. God is able to bless the little and make it grow. Christians learn from Jesus that the value of faithfulness involves walking on solid ground. In our spiritual life, we take steps that there is no return from but rather we take another step forward growing constantly with each step.

Remember that the unfaithful servant didn’t even do the least possible which was to put his master’s money in the bank to earn interest. This is unfaithfulness. On the other hand trying to achieve great things before being able to achieve lesser things will also likely lead to failure. Let us not forget God’s words, “You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things,” It is conditional that we prove faithful in the few things first before we can progress to the greater. Do not belittle the few talents that you possess, but be faithful over them. God is not going to look if you have little or much, but to your faithfulness over them…