Faithful in that which is … ?

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. Luke 16:10.

This verse in Luke holds the very depth of our hearts. Sure, we all, in some way, may think we are faithful. If we had to sit down to write a list of the ways we are faithful, we may think we are doing well. Yet, this list, probably not all of it, but some of the things on the
list would more than likely be full of deception, without us even knowing it.

Deception is not necessarily a lie. Lying is just straight out deliberate, which is done consciously and intentionally. We can quite easily deceive ourselves and not even know that we are doing it. The following verse of Matthew 7:5, explains it this way. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. The one finding fault of the other, had no idea that he had a beam in his eye. The only way that can happen, is that he is thinking that he was better than the other, therefore deceiving himself without even knowing it.

By studying the Bible daily, over time, we learn that we can deceive ourselves. Yet, when we look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we see our imperfections, and usually we start to see that deception is part of our life. This is why Christ prunes off our failings, that we may sprout new characters that produces good fruit as
we abide in Him. Read John 15:1-17.

Hebrews 12:2, 3, tells us, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” When we consider Jesus, in everything we do, we realize that it is by Him we can do all things. Note Philippians 4:13.

No one can be truly faithful in that which is least, without Christ. When we truly come to Christ Jesus, He then becomes the author and finisher of our faith. There will come correction and chastening when Jesus is our author. As Hebrews 12:5-8, says, “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. This is so important for us to learn and remember.

“Sons” is another word that is used widely, which means child, kinship, as in this verse above. Just as when the scriptures use the word “man” in some places, that simply means mankind, human. Note, by reading the following verses, Genesis 6:7; 7:23.

One daily request we should ask of the LORD God is, “help us LORD to be faithful in that which is least, that we may be faithful in that which is much.” Always asking in the name of the author of our faith, Jesus. And if we should fall in that which is least, remember that, For a just man (human) falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Proverbs 24:16. Whatsoever our weakness maybe, give it to the LORD in prayer, and in faith arise, and know, forgiveness has been given to the repented. Also remember, as James 1:6 says, But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Therefore, have faith that you are forgiven.

After asking God in prayer to help us to be faithful in that which is least, we need to allow the Author and Finisher of our faith to do the work within us; with the truth of, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

Least, is the smallest things in life.

We need to let the LORD be our guide.

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11