By David Phillips
We find this word several times in the New American Standard and English Standard translations. It comes from a Greek word that is rendered in the KJV as faithful. The official definition of this particular word is reliable, sure. It is used to refer to God and also to the Lord’s servants. The last eight times we find it in the NT, it refers to God’s word. The word also occurs several times in the negative, signifying something or someone who is untrustworthy; not worthy of confidence or belief.
As we give emphasis this month to the matter of trusting God more, let’s also focus some attention to the question, “Can God trust me?” Jesus addressed this subject clearly in Luke 16:10-12. One 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. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? Notice these points from what Jesus said:
- Trustworthiness is not measured in the size of the object of trust. Whether or not we are trustworthy
is the same, no matter how big or how small a matter is. From the Lord’s conversation with the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23, we see they paid close attention to the little things, but ignored the big things, and Jesus condemned them for it, (vs.23-24). In a manner of speaking, when it comes to our relationship with God, everything is a big thing. We need to be trustworthy in all things. - Material faithfulness is an indicator of heavenly trustworthiness. The unrighteous wealth (Lk.16:11) refers to earthly gain, or that which is measured in terms of bank balances and spending money. If we misuse the worldly goods and income we have in daily life, how can God trust us with the true heavenly treasures? In case I’m being too vague here, let me say it more clearly. If you poorly manage and misuse your money, you are putting your heavenly reward in jeopardy.
- Trustworthiness is not determined by the laws of ownership. No matter who holds legal title to whatever we have been entrusted with, how we use it is a measure of our trustworthiness. Whether it is the company car or your neighbor’s lawnmower, if you have been entrusted with it, you should treat it with the utmost care. All that we have and use belongs to God, in the ultimate sense. If we don’t use His provision wisely, we are untrustworthy.
In times like these, our spiritual strength is fortified by a sense of complete trust in God to provide for and take care of us. He can be trusted ULTIMATELY. But we must also prove ourselves trustworthy as His stewards, in the proper use of the resources He equips us with. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy, 1 Cor. 4:2 (NASB)