The Responsibility of Faithfulness

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 (nlt)

Only twenty-four hours after the end of the school year, our oldest grandson, Will, was complaining to his mother that he was bored. She proceeded to give him a list of activities he could do, the last of which was to clean the playroom. He was not interested in any of his options, especially cleaning the playroom. But, out of desperation, he agreed to clean the room. After thirty minutes he returned and announced that he was finished and asked her to check his work.

It was very clean, everything put back in place. Before she could compliment him on a job well done, he spoke up, “Now, what are you going to give me? Are you going to buy me a LEGO set?” She proceeded to tell him how every member of the family has responsibilities and that she appreciated his taking the responsibility of cleaning the room. He looked at her and said, “So what are you going to give me?” She responded, “Good job, buddy.” To which he said, “That’s it?”

Why is it that we think when we are good, God owes us something? He is not the little man in a red suit. We do not serve Him for what He can do for us. When I started this journey that I have been on now for three years, I had that mentality. “Okay, God, I have been good, I deserve for You to give me what I want.” I wanted rewards: an easy life, good health, a nice home, and a good job complete with all the amenities.

I have come to realize that I do not deserve anything; it is only by the grace of God that I have what I have. His love for me, His goodness, His grace, and His mercy are blessings in my life. God works on a blessings basis, not a reward basis. Will did not deserve a reward for fulfilling his given responsibility. Faithfulness is our given responsibility and in being faithful, we are blessed.

First Timothy 1:12-17 tells of Paul’s testimony concerning God’s grace: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, . . . and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant” (verses 12,14, nasb).

Father, I deserve nothing, but by Your grace, You love me and provide all I need. My heart’s desire is to be found faithful. Amen.