God knows that we are not perfect and that we will certainly fail Him and continue to sin. I know that I am not anywhere near a place to call myself sinless or blameless in anything that goes on here in this world. What I do know is that God is faithful to me and will be until it is all over in this world and then beyond.

“⁴I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— ⁶even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— ⁷so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (ESV)

That is a lot of verses, I know. I did not want to leave anything out and make sure that the context of the passage was more clear. The title of this passage in my ESV Bible is “Thanksgiving” and that is exactly what is conveyed by Paul here. Paul is declaring thanksgiving for all that has been given and more importantly will be sustained by our faithful God. Our gifts are given to continue the spread of the gospel for God the Father. We have been given them to sustain our movement forward all the while as we wait for the Father to return.

No matter where we are, we are provided for in those instances. God makes sure that we have what is needed bring glory to Him and to spread the gospel everywhere in the time we are given. I am encouraged by verses eight and nine above in that God will sustain me, “to the end” and He “is faithful”. I do not have to worry with God’s dedication to me and for how long it will be there.

I have a duty to give the same as given to me. I have to be faithful to God as He is to me and I have to do so “to the end”. I have to give all of me to Him as He has given all of Himself to me.

What have you given to God? Are you just in a place where you are taking from God and not really understanding all that He has given you? What if you were to believe in and accept the faithful provision God has given you and give your faithful works to Him in return?

God continues to teach me even in passages that seem the same. This morning I am reading in Luke 19, “The parable of the Ten Minas”. When reading I read a similar message to that of the talents. Master entrusts to servant and servant either grows that entrusted or not and then is deemed faithful for doing so or not.

This is a great message to demonstrate the need for me to take that which is given and work to grow it for the glory of God. It does not necessarily mean the monetary growth or that which is entrusted, but more of all that is entrusted. What I missed in the other messages was that which is not used and grown will eventually be taken away. And that which is taken away will be distributed to those that are doing the work to grow the glory of God.

“’²³Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’²⁴And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’” — Luke 19:24 (ESV)

Here we see the master taking away from the servant that simply held onto that which was entrusted as nothing was done to grow it at all, not even placing in the bank to add a bit of interest. This servant did nothing and for his trouble what was entrusted was taken from him and given to one that had demonstrated the work to grow.

I have to remember that when entrusted with something, it is my duty to work to grow it. I have to “use it or lose it” is an often stated saying. No, there is no guarantee that when working to use that which is entrusted growth will occur. However there is a guarantee that if not used, there will be no growth at all. I have to be faithful with my gifts and use them for the glory of God. I have to know that when I am using those gifts, God will multiply the reward for using them. I may not get to see that reward or the fruit that comes from my faithful use of the gifts, but I know there will be and that is fruitful enough for me.

What gifts have you been entrusted? Are you using them with the idea of “use it or lose it”? What if you were to just faithfully execute with the gifts given, knowing that the glory of God will shine and the fruit will come?

“¹⁰One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. ¹¹If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” — Luke 16:10-11 (ESV)

I read these verses and the passage they are from and I find the simple thing that when we are faithful in one thing, that will translate into all things. I know that it seems a bit simple and how can that be true as we have the ability to make decisions and just because I make a poor decision once, does not necessarily mean I will do it again. To that I say read the verse again and see how things move from one thing to another.

Notice in verse 10 the faithful or dishonesty in something small will be carried out with something greater. If I am faithful to properly handle the small amount that I am entrusted, I will be more inclined and trusted to handle a much larger amount. This is carried into the world in our jobs, right. As I begin in a role in the front lines and demonstrate my stewardship with what I have been entrusted for the role, I am rewarded with more responsibility and promotions and being entrusted with larger amounts. When I am unable to be faithful with the small things in that starter role, I am either overlooked for more responsibility or I am removed from the role altogether.

I am entrusted to be faithful with small things for the glory of God. I may not have the high end role and visibility as others such as the pastor, the elders, or others in the church, but I am still responsible for those things that God has entrusted of me. I have a responsibility to be a good steward of those things I have been entrusted. These may be the greatest that I will be entrusted and there may not be anything additional, I am just to do the work assigned by God and do it faithfully. My faithful obedience in that which I am entrusted will lend my faithful obedience in all that I am entrusted.

God only wants from us that which He entrusts to us. I have a responsibility to the faithful stewardship of that which He entrusts to me and I should not be looking for more “riches” only looking for how I can be faithful with all that He entrusts.

What have you been entrusted with to be faithful? Are you in it for yourself or are you looking out for the glory of God? What if you devoted yourself to being faithful to God’s glory and that which you were entrusted and did not worry with how you are seen in the world?

I am to be a good steward with what I am entrusted/given, no matter what that might be. It is for me to be sure that I am using that for the glory of God so as not to waste it.

“²¹His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” — Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

Jesus is in the middle of the parable of the talents here and is noting the faithfulness of the one that was given the ten talents. Regardless of that which is given, it is important for me to remember that I have a responsibility to use that which is given. I am not just to let it sit and gather dust or be protected from anything negative. It was entrusted to me and I am to use it.

I want to be clear here in that Jesus is not and I am not saying that one has been given and therefor can do with it what they want. I have been given to specifically by God and that which I am given is to be used and acted on to grow the kingdom of God. I have a responsibility to think and do with the mindset of growth and expansion, but I have to do so as I look to do what Jesus would.

I think of all of those that are in the world that have been given a talent and have not exactly been good stewards of that talent. The celebrities that have gained fame and fortune and yet lost it all or are completely miserable based on the emptiness in their lives. And then I think of those given a talent and have furthered God’s kingdom. All those that have stayed under the radar and spoken out for God and used their talent to spread the good news and how they are continually rewarded for their faith and stewardship.

It is not for me to grow rich based on what I am given. It is for me to grow God and others with what I have been entrusted. I have been given a chance to “use my powers for good” as I like to say and it is up to me to take it. I have been given the opportunity to be here with you and share what I have learned and offer you the chance to read and learn. I have this platform, that is not free, and with it I am able to grow God’s kingdom. I am being a steward with what God has entrusted in me.

What talent or thing has been given/entrusted to you? Are you using that for the advancement of God’s glory? What if you channeled your gift to the growth of God’s kingdom and allowed Him to be glorified?

I was chosen by God to serve. I have been tasked with bringing the gospel to the world. I am a servant of the LORD. I am His disciple. I will be successful as He is faithful and chose me to do His work.

“⁷Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: ‘Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’” — Isaiah 49:7 (ESV)

God will not let me down. He chose me and as such, He will be with me for all time. I can go with confidence through this world as I do His work. God will not leave my side and will protect me all the way. He said it and therefor it is true.

I have been tasked with being a disciple for Him and He has given me all the tools to be successful. As an instructor, I know that my learners will not retain everything I give them, but I am confident that they can retain where all of the information is found and how to use the resources. God has done this for me. Whereas I know that love is the one thing that will carry me through, I also know that the answers to how to move forward are found in His word. He has provided me with the resources needed to get all the answers.

I am a servant of the faithful God. I do His will in my life. I know that He is with me and I can go in confidence. His faithfulness does not waiver. He chose me and I am His.

What do your think about your relationship with God? Do you feel as though you are His and that He is faithful? What if you just turned over to Him and trusted that His faithfulness would carry you? What if you acted as chosen by Him?

Who would think that not taking an active interest in growing your monetary and/or other wealth is the actual way to go.

“²⁰A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” — Proverbs 28:20 (ESV)

I am reminded this morning that I should not overly concern myself with gaining wealth of any kind. God will give His blessings to those that are faithful to Him. It is our faith that brings in the reward and blessings from God, not our selfish work.

“¹⁹Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. ²²A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” — Proverbs 28:19 & 22 (ESV)

Often I have seen, and written about here, that we take God’s word and cherry pick verses that back up what we are looking to say, as if somehow God would justify our thoughts and actions. In order to really understand, I have to read and study before and after verses and get the whole picture and context of the one verse. I have to see the totality of the instance to get the bigger picture and not just zero in on the one verse.

When looking at verse 20 above, I see that faith abounds blessings from God. Where as this is a great verse, I get more context when looking before and after and drill into really how things work. I have to put in the work about the land and be generous with all to gain the blessings from God.

“¹⁷So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” — James 2:17 (ESV)

I must be faithful to receive blessings from God and along with my faith I must have works to complete it all. I cannot just sit idle and expect God to provide, I have to take action based on my faith and know that the two combined will gain blessing from God.

What are you doing to gain blessing from God? Are you sitting idle and expecting God to give you blessings? What if you combined your faith with you works knowing that God will give blessings?

“⁶Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” — Proverbs 20:6 (ESV)

It is easy to say how good I am and how much I love and how I am so devoted. It is much more difficult to act and allow those actions to speak for me.

I use the phrase “it is not boasting if it is true”. Now where that may in itself sound boastful and proclaiming and saying, I feel as though I should clarify. It is not boasting when asked about the actions taken. When asked, we should state factually with data to back it up and not just that we say it so. I use the example of an end of year evaluation. All of the data is posted and called on to say that the work done for the year is of high quality against the targeted criteria. That is not boasting and the information was asked for in the review process.

It is important to act and allow those actions to speak. After all, actions speak louder than words, right. I have to remember to be faithful in all that I do. I have to do the work of God and allow that work to speak. Like this bible study, I feel as though I have been faithful in my study and over the years (since 2016) when I began, I have grown in my depth of knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and my part in His plan. Do I know it all, and am I the expert, by no means, but I have become more understanding and if anything, I have continued wanting to learn more. I do not claim any more knowledge and only want to share what I have learning and ask others to continue their learning as well. This to me is faithful acting and not just speaking that I have done something and looking for some recognition for that which I have said I have done.

What is it that you have said in your life that may not be the full declaration of your actions? Are you speaking things for others to take notice of and grant you some sort of recognition? What if you were to just do the work and allow that work and your actions to demonstrate your faithfulness to the work and stay away from boasting?

The LORD is fully faithful in all that He speaks. He told Moses that he would be able to speak to Pharaoh. He said to Sarah (Abraham’s wife) that she would be the mother of nations and she indeed conceived (at age 90). The LORD is certainly faithful in what He says.

“¹³…[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]” — Psalm 145:13b

As I read this morning, I was led to this verse and specifically this part of the verse. Notice the brackets around the sentence. These words are not just from the bible, God’s word, but they are found in historical documents that are known elsewhere and frankly, as poor as it is, more respected than the bible. These are found in the Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint, Syriac (as noted in my ESV bible footnote).

I am encouraged by the faithfulness of God’s words. He says what He means and means what He says. There is no room for questioning of God’s words and their application to my life. Yes, there are lots of times that I do not understand His words, and that is frustrating as I press to move forward, but I do not question the validity of His words. I know that whatever He says is what He will do.

Now, as noted, I may not understand and will continue to work to do so. The LORD will not always tell me plainly just what is or what will come of me taking action. I am to do His works based on His words and know that He is faithful and will give provision and when the time is right, blessings on top of those provisions. God is faithful in all His words. Again, He says what He means and means what He says.

With all that goes on in your life, what items are you hearing from God and what is your belief in what He says? Are you hearing Him and questioning the validity of what He says? What if you were to approach God’s words knowing that He says what He means and means what He says?

“⁶He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. ⁷The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;” — Psalm 111:6-7 (ESV)

God has shown that He is faithful, not only through His word, but through His actions. We, in my house, have had our share of difficult times and some where, to us, things looked as though they would get worse before they got better. All in all, it was our faith that God would intervene and provide that we were able to see His work in relieving the difficulty. I know that all that we experienced was not solvable without some additional help along the way, and only God could provide the help we needed.

As you see in the verses above and in what we know from biblical history, God made known that He would provide the promised land to the Israelite people. He let them know that there would be those to get in the way and that the timing may not be to their liking, but He would provide. AND HE DID! His actions and works demonstrated His faithfulness to His word in that instance, and it was certainly a big instance.

When I see things like the above and the faithful work of the LORD, I am encouraged to continue giving Him my troubles so that I will be able to see His faithful work continue in my life. Will He always do that which I would like done, well that is a NO. But He will ensure that I will be protected, comforted, and loved throughout and that the end will be better than the beginning. I have a faithful heavenly father to which I can and will give my trust to care for my “needs”.

What is going on in your life that you are trying to solve on your own? Are you allowing anyone to give you assistance? What if you were to turn those over to the LORD and allow Him to do the work He faithfully has committed to taking on for you?

It is so easy to lose sight of that which is there to protect me. I am a rule follower by nature and yet the reasons for following the rules gets lost in my desire to do so. The benefits of of following through with the rules will benefit me yet why do I follow them.

God is there to protect me. I have a tendency to forget that fact and go along through life without really paying much mind to that protection. Yes, I pray daily for comfort, safety, protection, and God guidance, but how much I think about it throughout the day, beyond my prayers?

“²³Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. ²⁴Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!” — Psalm 31:23-24 (ESV)

And there it is, “Love the LORD”. And what I see there is, always “Love the LORD”. I forget about Him from time to time, mostly when things are going well. It is up to me to remember to be faithful to Him always. Even in those good times, I have to “be strong” and “take courage” while I “wait” for Him. I must be faithful to Him as he is faithful to me as His child.

“²¹Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. ²²I had said in my alarm, ‘I am cut off from your sight.’ But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.” — Psalm 31:21-22 (ESV)

Notice the words of David here. He is indicating that he was not seeing God, but that did not mean He was not there. God was faithful and all David needed was to call out to Him in faith to receive His guidance and protection. I am the same. I may not “see” God all the time, yet that does not mean He is not there. It is my faith that keeps Him close so that He can be there in a moments notice for guidance and protection.

It is in those times of guidance that I may not be as faithful to Him as when things are going well, I, and I reckon to say we, rely on ourselves and brag that things are so well we were responsible and deserving of all of the praise. The reality is that our faith has generated the noticed help from God, and it is our duty to recognize it and praise Him in continued faith.

Being faithful as man is difficult since I am tempted daily by the evil one. I am given just enough from the evil one that keeps me coming back for more and my eyes are turned away from God. It is God that provides for me in His glory and I have to remember to be faithful to Him as my provider. In doing so, God will continue in His work to make the most of my life.

What faith do you posses for God? Are you aware of His presence daily, regardless of the circumstances? What would it look and feel like to give your faith to God at all and in all, knowing that He is there?