DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FAITHFUL SERVANT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FAITHFUL SERVICE

" 'And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?' " (Luke 16:10-11)

This is a perplexing parable. This truism is a part of a parable Jesus gave about a servant who was called into account for his stewardship of resources that were delegated to him by his master. He had not been honest in his dealings, and sought ways to get himself out of his dilemma. So before he was fired, he called the people who were in debt to the master and told them to change the amount of their bills so they would not appear to owe so much. He was making friends to help him after he was fired. Jesus complimented the man for his shrewdness of making friends with these debtors so that when he was released from his present position, he would have made friends with other people. It's called networking. But would I hire you if I knew you were dishonest? If you can't be trusted with someone else's things, how can I trust you with mine? His actions would seem to be counter-productive in the end.

The truth is that we earn trust, confidence and respect by the way we handle what we are entrusted with. If we are not responsible in seemingly small things, who will trust us with big responsibilities? Faithfulness is the key.

When I was pastoring, there was man who wanted to have ministry in the church. I told him that we had some toilets that needed to be cleaned. I wanted to see if he could handle a little responsibility. He thought that was beneath the dignity of his calling to ministry. But I could not give him more responsibility if he was not willing to be faithful in a little.

The Scripture says that it is required of a steward that he be found faithful (I Corinthians 4:2). God has given each of us responsibility for different things – some more and some less. I do not choose how much I am entrusted with. That is God's prerogative. But I am responsible to be faithful in using what God has given me, whether a little or a lot. Even if I have a small task that God has given me, I must be faithful and responsible in fulfilling that task. God, help me to be faithful.

Love, Dad