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Sunday 23 June 2002 - "Faithful in small things"

(Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen)

(Read opening comments before sermon)

Lk 16: 10 - 13;

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

 

There are many troubled people who seek prosperity and success but live and die without achieving it. Yet the Word of God makes it quite clear how we can prosper. The Owner of all things, the Almighty, tells us that if we are not faithful in the small things then we cannot be entrusted with more.

Perhaps you have a little piece of land. Are you using that land properly? It may be the case that you don't weed that land (or yard) and don't even use the rubbish for compost, to put on your crops. If we can't be faithful in these earthly things then how can we be given greater things?

I remember a person complaining that their orange tree only bears sour oranges because it is so dry. They were greatly surprised when I suggested that they consider watering the tree. I mentioned that even their dishwater and tea-leaves can be put around the tree. Some people just don't use what they have.

When I was a child there was a certain Indian boy, Reddy, who was mocked by the Zulus around him. But this poor boy began a business of buying cow-hides and bones from local farmers. Soon he became very rich. And that was during the height of Apartheid.

Some people can't even be faithful in keeping a clean toilet (or restroom). It should be so clean and hygienic that one could eat there.

Jesus used earthly examples to show heavenly truths.

You may lack and then to solve your troubles you steal and this only brings the curse of the Lord upon you.

In verse 12 the Lord refers to faithfulness in what belongs to someone else. People who drive cars that don't belong to them are apt to abuse the car and rev it like an aeroplane. If you borrow from someone you should care for it and be responsible. David was faithful with his father's sheep and defended them against bears and lions. He treated the sheep as his own.

An illustration of the life of William Colgate was used. His faithfulness took him to great heights.

One should also be able to stick to a job. Some have "ants in their pants" and cannot finish a thing, they keep on going from one job to the next.

If we are faithful in the small things God promises that there will be growth.

There is the example of how faithful people were sought to serve at the tables when there had been friction in the first church in Jerusalem. Stephen was chosed as a "waiter" and he received the prize of being first in heaven as a martyr.

If we are not faithful with money then how can we be faithful with true riches?