August 20th

Forever

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

Faithfulness. This simple word, often relegated to use only in marriage vows, is one of the most powerful character traits you can possess. Can you guess why?

Jesus reveals the mystery of faithfulness to us in our verses for today. Here's the bottom line-faithfulness, or a lack of it, exposes what is in your heart.

God is asking, Can I trust you with things that really matter? Will you use my gifts in a way that is consistent with my heart and my character? Will you steward them in such a way that it makes them grow, or will you waste them?

He knows that we will be accountable to Him for anything He gives us, so He does not give us more than we can handle. How does He know what our limit is? He knows, because He tests us.

God gives us small things to see if we will be faithful with them. If we are faithful in the little, then He knows He can entrust us with much. And according to Jesus in these verses, the little things with which we prove ourselves are the unrighteous mammon-the things of this world in which it is so easy to get entangled.

So here is the million dollar question-how do you become faithful with the things of the world? The answer is very simple. Faithfulness with the wealth of the world means that we use it to build God's kingdom instead of our own.

In your financial planning, are you trying to save up for a bigger house, a nice boat, or that new luxury vehicle? Or are you trying to find places to invest it where it will create a spiritual harvest, a legacy that will translate into heavenly rewards?

When it comes right down to it, we are either living for this world or we are living for eternity. How we use our finances proves which world our hearts live in. Can you prove to me that you are living for heaven?

Prayer Father God,

Thank You that You want to trust me with true riches! Please help me to be faithful with the little I have, with those things of the world, so that I can prove myself trustworthy.

Amen