June 7, 2010

"To Be Found Faithful"

I can remember growing up as kids my parents would let us play about any sport that we wanted. They would attend all our games and support us in our efforts. One thing I'll never forget is that before each season, when we were considering signing up for a particular sport, my parents would make sure that we understood starting meant that we were expected to finish out the season regardless if we decided we wanted to quit somewhere along the line. We were expected to put our time into that sport and sacrifice even when there were other things we would rather do.

Although this is a simple childhood memory, I believe the same concept applies to my life as child of God. The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples the principles of stewardship in Matthew 25:14-31. The word "stewardship" means the "management of the affairs or estates of another". Christian stewardship entails the whole of man's relationship to God and man. A verse that caught my attention this week in my devotion time was 1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful".

It seems that we are living in a day when no one finishes what they start. We begin something that we are so sure we want to do, but in time we begin to lose the excitement and eventually we quit. We see this sadly today in the lives of many believers. Maybe its something that someone has said, a trial that God placed in their life, or unconfessed sin that has hindered their fellowship with God and they quit. They fail to become the faithful man or woman that the Lord has called them to be. They fail to be the light that this dark world needs.

Not one person is exempt to the attacks of Satan. The bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". The desire of each believer should be to stay close to the Lord by daily prayer, time spent in God's word, and regular church attendance. These are the ways that we equip ourselves to be found a faithful steward. It is my desire as a believer to finish well. To be found faithful in death or at the appearing of Christ. I find confidence in what the bible says in Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:". I want to encourage you to make a decision in your heart today that regardless of what comes your way in life, you will keep serving the Lord and be found faithful!

In him,

Trae