He
who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and
he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest
and unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in
the [case of] unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money,
possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you
have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God
or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true
riches]? 13 No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will
hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to
the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches,
or anything in which you trust and on which you rely). Luke 16:10-13 AMP
If you read all of Jesus’ words taken together, you will see that He
never says that you cannot have or enjoy material possessions. He does
make it abundantly clear that material possessions should not have
you! You cannot serve God and mammon, and every person must make
their own choice for God or material possessions. God must be more
important to you than your possessions–after all, everything you own is
His first. Only when you recognize that your blessing comes from God,
and not by your own power alone, can you truly enjoy the things He
gives you.
Jesus says that if you want the blessing of God on your life, you should be faithful in three areas.
You must be faithful first in small responsibilities
The principles of faithfulness remain the same, whether in a big thing
or a small thing. If you are faithful in very little things, you will
also be faithful in the bigger things, and if you are dishonest and
unjust in very little things, you will also be dishonest and unjust in
the bigger things. It is not possible to suddenly be faithful in big
things if you have not already been faithful in the small things! You
always begin small, therefore, you must be faithful in small things;
things that seem little, too easy, insignificant, unimportant, menial,
not noticed, not obvious, taken for granted, expected, not valued by
others, or “beneath you.” Only then, will you be given responsibility
for bigger and more important things.
You must be faithful with money
Who would have thought that the way you handle your
money would determine how you handle spiritual things–the true riches?
Jesus says that the two are inseparable. You prove that you will be
faithful with the things of God–His Word; His call; His anointing; His
gifts–by how faithful you are with plain, ordinary money.
Covetousness corrupts. If you are covetous, then you will allow your
greed and selfishness to determine how you handle the things of God.
You will put yourself first and you will manipulate people for your own
ends, instead of lovingly serving them as Jesus did. You will do things
for a selfish money motive, not allowing the Word of God or the Holy
Spirit to lead you. You won’t be submitted to the Lord–you will set
your own agenda. How should you show your faithfulness with money? Put
God first where your money is concerned. Work, be a giver, be a person
of integrity, do not take that which is not yours, and always pay what
you owe.
If you want to be a good boss you need to be a good worker
Before you are given your own authority and responsibility you will be
asked to take responsibility for that which belongs to another. Only
when you have taken responsibility for someone else’s stuff and proven
your faithfulness, will you be given your own responsibility and
authority. Your integrity and faithfulness is what causes you to be
promoted, in due time. The natural realm carries into the Spirit realm.
The way you treat another man’s things is an indication of how you will
handle God’s things. If you are faithful when you are under authority,
it follows that you will be faithful when you are in authority. Even
then, any authority you have is given by God and you are still
responsible to Him. Every gift, talent, call, and anointing you have is
God’s and is given to you for His glory–not yours!
If you make the decision to put God first in your life, before mammon,
you will not find it difficult to be faithful in these areas, and you
will be rewarded by the Lord in your due season. Remember–nothing you
ever do for Him will go unnoticed or unrewarded!