Christians are to be faithful servants of the Lord (Rev. 2:10). How do we know whether or not we are living faithfully? Try these questions: “Is a car that starts once out of seven times ‘faithful’? Is a refrigerator ‘faithful’ that quits for a day now and then? Is your paper boy ‘faithful’ if he misses you with the paper every few mornings? If you fail to come to work two or three days each week, would you be ‘faithful’ to your job? If your hot water heater greeted you with cold water one or two mornings a week, would it be dependable?”
Faithful means “firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty.” It means we are loyal in carrying out our duties to God. One of the fruits of the Spirit is faithfulness (Gal. 5:22). Unfortunately, some can only be “counted on to be counted out.”
Here are some areas in which Christians should be dependable:
Be faithful with your family. Wives should not have to worry about whether their husbands are devoted to them. Husbands should faithfully love (Col. 3:19-21) and support (I Tim. 5:8) their families. Love your children, and be a consistent Christian example for them (Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 22:6).
Be faithful with your fellowship. Real Christianity is not a one- or two-day-a-month thing. It’s a lifestyle. Real Christians are faithful in their church attendance, their support of their brothers and sisters in Christ, their study of Scripture, and their participation in the work of their congregation (see, e.g., Acts 2:42-47).
Be faithful with your finances. Yes, Christianity applies to the pocketbook, too. We must be responsible in every area of life (Rom. 12:11). Be a good steward of your money (Matt. 25:14-30), and faithfully provide financial support for the work of the church (I Cor. 16:1-2; II Cor. 9:7; Acts 4:32-37).
Be faithful with your forte. Each one has strong points – special talents and abilities that another may not have (I Cor. 12:12-25). God expects us to use our gifts faithfully so that we can be blessed with greater opportunities of service in the Kingdom (see, e.g., Luke 19:11-27).
Be faithful with your friends. Can you be counted on to support and encourage your associates? Someone said, “He who walks in when others walk out is a true friend.” Loving those around us is the “royal law” of Christianity (James 2:8). “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you just the same.”
Enterprise Church of Christ 