V. Faithfulness
Remaining True to What God Has Entrusted to Us
After our initial enthusiasm has faded, when our work receives little attention, results have yet to appear, or responsibilities become demanding, we still need to ask: how can we remain faithful to God and take seriously what has been entrusted to us now?
Faithfulness involves both perseverance and direction. We need to examine whether what we persist in is consistent with the truth, whether our methods are appropriate, and whether we are truly fulfilling our responsibilities. We should respect sustained effort while also examining whether it is faithful to God and consistent with the truth. We cannot conclude that someone is faithful simply on the basis of how long they have persisted or how much they have given.
When speaking of the apostles as Christ’s servants and stewards of God’s mysteries, Paul says, “Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Those entrusted with a responsibility need to remain true both to the one who entrusted it to them and to what they have received. For believers, this means being accountable to God and living in a manner consistent with His truth.
1. Faithfulness Begins with What Has Already Been Entrusted to Us
Jesus says that a person who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much (Luke 16:10). This statement comes within His teaching about money and stewardship. It calls us to take seriously the resources we use now, rather than simply looking forward to greater responsibilities in the future.
Small matters can reveal how we handle responsibility. Whether we report expenses honestly, keep to agreed times, handle information entrusted to us properly, or promptly report a problem can affect other people’s lives and their trust in us.
Sometimes we hope to find a special mission before beginning to apply ourselves seriously. Yet many responsibilities are already present today: caring for family, working honestly, keeping promises, using resources wisely, and showing concern for those with whom we share our lives. These responsibilities do not lose their significance because they lack public influence.
Taking small matters seriously does not mean that God will necessarily give us a more prominent position. Faithfulness is itself a response to God; it cannot be viewed merely as a means of gaining more opportunities.
The responsibilities each person can undertake differ. Age, health, abilities, and family circumstances all affect practical arrangements. We need to fulfil our responsibilities according to our actual circumstances and respect those who are temporarily unable to work and are receiving care. Faithfulness must not become a standard for judging the value of a life solely by the amount of work a person does.
2. Taking Responsibility for What We Can in Difficult Circumstances
Joseph was sold by his brothers and became a slave (Genesis 37:28; 39:1). Later, he was imprisoned following a false accusation. Scripture repeatedly records that the LORD was with him and also describes the responsibilities he undertook in managing Potiphar’s household and affairs within the prison (Genesis 39:2–6, 20–23).
Joseph could not decide when he would gain his freedom or control how others treated him. Scripture records both God’s presence and kindness towards him and his diligence in fulfilling the responsibilities within his reach. We cannot, therefore, understand his experience merely as a story of achieving a dream through personal strength.
Today, we too may be unable to choose all our circumstances, yet we still need to discern what we can take responsibility for. For example, when a task is constrained, we can still give an honest account of its progress, take proper care of information entrusted to us, and promptly make difficulties known to those concerned. Such reliable actions help us remain true to the responsibilities we have received.
Joseph’s experience as a slave and prisoner cannot serve as a basis for requiring people to remain indefinitely in unjust circumstances. Faithfulness can include seeking fairness and explaining difficulties; it can also involve moving towards new arrangements when appropriate. We need to remain faithful to God without assuming that every existing situation must be maintained permanently.
3. Those Outside the Narrative’s Centre Also Make a Meaningful Contribution
Scripture also records people who are not always at the centre of its narratives. In particular circumstances, they pray, bear witness, welcome people, and help others, showing us different ways of serving faithfully.
In her old age, Anna continued to worship, fast, and pray. After seeing the infant Jesus, she spoke about Him to those who were looking for redemption (Luke 2:36–38). Ananias of Damascus received instructions from the Lord. Although he knew that Saul had persecuted believers, he still went to help him as the Lord had commanded (Acts 9:10–19).
When the disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul, Barnabas welcomed him and explained his experience to the apostles. Later, he went to Tarsus to look for him and brought him to Antioch to serve together with others (Acts 9:26–27; 11:25–26).
These people’s experiences cannot all be grouped under the same calling or office. Yet they show us that God’s work involves many forms of practical participation: prayer, witness, hospitality, help, teaching, and working together. A person does not need to be at the centre of everything in order to serve faithfully.
In life today, this may mean supporting someone in need over time, helping a newcomer become part of a community, completing work behind the scenes with care, or offering appropriate support when someone finds it difficult to continue. These actions may receive little public attention, yet they have a real impact on others.
We should respect such contributions while avoiding the use of biblical figures’ later significance as a guarantee that every quiet effort will bring a notable reward. The significance of faithfulness needs to be understood before God; it cannot be confirmed solely by whether a person later receives recognition.
4. Faithfulness Requires Examination and Correction
After speaking about the faithfulness of stewards, Paul explains that the Lord is the one who ultimately examines him and will reveal the intentions of people’s hearts (1 Corinthians 4:3–5). Human evaluations have their limits, and our own judgements about ourselves may not be entirely accurate.
This does not remove the need for examination and accountability today. We still need to clarify responsibilities, examine the results of our work, listen to feedback, and face the question of whether our actions are faithful to the truth. Leaving the final judgement to God cannot become a reason for refusing questions from others.
Faithfulness needs to be expressed in reliable attention to detail: considering carefully before making a promise and doing our best to keep it afterwards; promptly explaining difficulties and giving a clear account when using someone else’s resources. If negligence causes loss, we should explain the facts, take the appropriate responsibility, and improve practices that are likely to lead to further mistakes. Such actions enable others to trust our promises and help us take responsibility for how we fulfil them.
5. Faithfulness May Also Require Adjustments and a Handover
“Remaining true to what has been entrusted to us” emphasises taking responsibility seriously. It does not require us to retain the same role or way of working forever.
Exodus 18 records that Jethro saw Moses dealing with the people’s affairs on his own. He pointed out that this arrangement would wear out both Moses and the people, and advised him to share the responsibilities. Moses accepted the counsel and changed the way he handled these matters (Exodus 18:13–26).
Those willing to take responsibility also need to examine carefully how they do so. Handling everything alone may leave a person exhausted, prevent others from participating, and affect those who need help.
Sharing responsibilities is one way of adjusting how we carry them. When our abilities or circumstances change, we may also need to hand a particular responsibility over to someone suitable. Faithfulness means taking such changes seriously, caring about the continuity of the work, and learning to let go of our dependence on our former position. Chapter 4 will further discuss how leaders arrange a handover.
We receive life and gifts from God and learn reliability, honesty, and love within His grace. Remaining faithful to these responsibilities over time also requires perseverance.