10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? (Luke 16:10 12 New King James Version - NKJV)
Here is the same scripture as recorded in the Good News Bible:
10 Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones. 11 If, then, you have not been faithful in handling wordly wealth, how can you be trusted with true wealth? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what belongs to you? (Luke 16:10 12 Good News Bible - GNB)
From we His children / servants, the Lord has reasonable expectation of faithfulness in the area of work of the ministry / service, and how the anointing of the Holy Spirit is utilized. Regardless of what type of ministry is committed into our hands, regardless of the measure of anointing left at our disposal, He desires us to approach each task diligently and faithfully. Regardless of your religious status / social standing, He desires us to be the type of stewards He can count on to carry out his / her tasks faithfully.
By the way, a person's religious status is in no way indicative of their spiritual standing / status before the Most High God. In 1 Samuel chapter 17, Goliath thought he was dealing with one of those so-called silly little boys who are full of Dutch courage and would do just about anything to get attention. After all, Goliath was described in the following words:
4 Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was a giant of a man, measuring over nine feet tall! 5 He wore a bronze helmet and a coat of mail that weighed 125 pounds. 6 He also wore bronze leggings, and he slung a bronze javelin over his back. 7 The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver's beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed fifteen pounds. An armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a huge shield. (1 Samuel 17:4-7 New Living Translation - NLT)
As if that is not enough,
33 "Don't be ridiculous!" Saul replied. "There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!" (1 Samuel 17:33 NLT)
David on the other hand was described in the following words:
14 David was the youngest of Jesse's sons. ....... 15 ....... helping his father with the sheep in Bethlehem. (1 Samuel 17:14,15 NLT)
A quick reference check with Eliab yielded the following report:
28 But when David's oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. "What are you doing around here anyway?" he demanded. "What about those few sheep you're supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and dishonesty. You just want to see the battle!" (1 Samuel chapter 17:28 NLT)
Quite an impressive rap sheet the lad had, don't you think. That's just the right credential for someone who is poised to take on Goliath. Small wonder anyone would have thought David had to be drunk (Dutch courage), or silly, or suicidal, or just plain stupid to have even thought of standing in front of the so-called champion of Philistia. Except for one thing; there is another side to David that is not known to some people. Even those who know about it did not yet have a comprehensive understanding of what it implies. You wondering what that is?
13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David's head. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him from that day on. ......... 23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. (1 Samuel 16:13,23 NLT)
".......... and the Spirit of the LORD came upon him from that day forward ............ prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him." (I Samuel 16:13, 18 King James Version - KJV)
6 Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will ........ be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you ......... (1 Samuel 10:6-7 NKJV)
Related reading can be found under the topic HOLY SPIRIT AND YOU IMPACT AND EFFECT OF HIS MINISTRY.
Supposing Goliath was within earshot of the comment Eliab made about his youngest brother, he would have been well misinformed. The Philistine giant must have been preoccupied with what was being seen and heard in the realm of the natural, he did not even take a moment to give a thought about actual situations in the spirit realm. In fact, it did not seem at all that the Philistine even had any clue about what the realm of the spirit is all about. After all, he thinks that cursing the youth "by the names of his gods" is a brilliant idea. Hasn't he heard about the God being referred to in the following verses:
14 He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, 15 Saying, "Do not touch my anointed and do my prophet no harm." (Psalm 105:14-15 NKJV)
If any nation comes to fight you, it will not be because I sent them to punish you. Your enemies will always be defeated because I am on your side (Isaiah 54:15 NLT).
If anyone attacks you, he does it without my consent; whoever fights against you will fall (Isaiah 54:15 GNB).
To the best of anyone's knowledge, David did not have a religious title of a 'priest' or 'high priest' or 'prophet' attached to his name. He did not answer to any title within the rank and file of the military either. He was not even eligible to be in the military yet. He was known to lots of people as the little shepherd boy. What then could have prompted him into sizing up the arrogant Philistine? Years of tending meek simpleminded sheep must have got into him, some might have thought.
41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 "Am I a dog," he roared at David, "that you come at me with a stick?" And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 "Come over here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!" Goliath yelled. (1 Samuel 17:41-44 NLT)
The hero of Philistia may have measured "over nine feet tall". Unfortunately, that was not in any way indicative of his true standing before God. Any more than the height and stance of the seemingly contemptuous "ruddy-faced boy" did not in any way indicate anything about his standing in the realm of the spirit.
34 But David persisted. "I have been taking care of my father's sheep," he said. "When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The LORD who saved me from the claws of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine!"........... (1 Samuel 17:34-37 NLT)
Is he bluffing or what?
45 David shouted in reply, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD Almighty - the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone will know that the LORD does not need weapons to rescue his people. It is his battle, not ours. The LORD will give you to us!" (1 Samuel 17:45-47 NLT)
The boy sounds like he knows what he's doing. Or does he?
48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd's bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it from his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face downward to the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine giant with only a stone and sling. ......... (1 Samuel 17:48-50 NLT)
No kidding. Talking about getting cut down to size
55 As Saul watched David go out to fight Goliath, he asked Abner, the general of his army, "Abner, whose son is he?"
"I really don't know," Abner said.
56 "Well, find out!" the king told him.
57 After David had killed Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine's head still in his hand. (1 Samuel 17:55-57 NLT)
Correlated readings can be found under CALLING OF GOD: RESPECTER OF NONE and QUITE A HANDFUL, ISN'T HE?!
Obviously, a person's religious / social status is in no way indicative of their spiritual standing / status before the Most High God. And to think some of us often think of one reason / excuse or the other for not being what the Master wants us to be. Take for instance, the third servant in the following story:
14 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to the last - dividing it in proportion to their abilities - and then left on his trip. 16 The servant who received the five bags of gold began immediately to invest the money and soon doubled it. 17 The servant with two bags of gold also went right to work and doubled the money. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of gold dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money for safekeeping. 19 "After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, 'Sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.' 21 The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' 22 "Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold, with the report, 'Sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.' 23 The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' 24 "Then the servant with the one bag of gold came and said, 'Sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate.
26 "But the master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! You think I'm a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn't plant and gathering crops I didn't cultivate? 27 Well, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. 28 Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (Matthew 25:14-30 NLT)
He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Proverbs 10:4 NKJV)
The hand of the diligent will rule, ............ (Proverbs 12:24 NKJV)
Related readings can be found under the topic OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AND THE BODY. Here is an excerpt from the topic:
Take for instance, the parable of the servants given some talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The master, before he travelled, gave 10 talents to one servant, 5 to another, and 1 to the third servant. When he returned from his trip, he inquired about what they've done with the talents. The one with 10 had 10 more. The servant with 5 had 5 more. The master did not compare how much was brought in return. He was more interested in how diligently it was utilized. He was not upset with the third servant because he had only 1 talent. Rather, the master was offended at the servant's lackadaisical approach to using what was bestowed on him to bring forth glory, honour, praise (no matter how little or how big) to the Master.
Please keep in mind that in order to maximize the blessings associated with faithfulness, whatever you do should be done cheerfully. This is indicated in the excerpt below from the topic CHOICE OF A LIFE PARTNER: LET GO AND LET GOD HAVE HIS WAY:
You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT)
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV)
The scripture did not state that God loves givers. Rather, "God loves a cheerful giver." This isn't a case of 'if you don't give, you'll be black listed, or you might just drop dead, or we're going to keep an eye on you and you'll see what will be done to you'. Remember the story of the widow's mites? (Luke 21:1-4) Of all the people that gave, and the quantity that they gave, the widow and her mites are the ones that impressed the Lord the most. It's quite ironic and intriguing? Well, it feels that way the more we come to understand His ways.
Avoid shacking your spiritual responsibilities. Faithfulness is like a key that opens the door to numerous blessings. The higher the level of dedication and commitment demonstrated, the further up we find ourselves in the echelon of His blessing.
23 May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; ......... 24 And indeed, as your life was valued much in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation." 25 Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail." ......... (1 Samuel 26:23-25 NKJV)
Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, ......... (Psalm 31:23 NKJV)
In His kingdom / vineyard, whenever the word 'faithful' is used, the word 'servant' is usually not far behind. Faithfulness and servitude are virtues that are highly reckoned with in the kingdom of God. Even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ typify this notion as can be seen in the excerpt below from the topic OF THE REJECTED STONE AND THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE:
According to Hebrews 9:22 "nearly everything was purified by sprinkling with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins." (NLT) Someone had to leave the splendour and majesty of heaven, take up the lowly garment of humanity, and accept the status of a sacrificial lamb. None of the angels considered that an enviable task. Yet Jesus Christ - the Lamb of God - stepped forward and bore the burden of our sins. An adage goes thus: Fools walk where angels fear to tread. If that were the case, the Lord Jesus discarded his divine status of royalty and took up the unenviable appearance of a fool in order to accomplish God's purpose.
7 He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.......... 26 He came once for all time, at the end of the age, to remove the power of sin forever by his sacrificial death for us (Philippians 2:7-8,26 NLT).
Think he's got an enviable task? Well, if being forsaken is part of your idea of enviable task that is. While enduring such agonizing pain when he was on the cross, "at about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46 NLT)
The unenviable task of the Rejected Stone (also known as the Lamb of God) brought forth glory and honour to Divinity and victory for humanity. Needless to say, it spelled D-O-O-M for the powers of darkness.
Earlier on, mention was made of the servants with ten and five talents / gold respectively. They reaped the reward of faithfulness. In the same vein, Elisha exprerienced the blessing of faithfulness as can be seen in the excerpt from the topic QUITE A HANDFUL, ISN'T HE?!:1 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, for the LORD has told me to go to Bethel." But Elisha replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!" So they went on together to Bethel. 3 The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, "Did you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?"
"Quiet!" Elisha answered. "Of course I know it."
4 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, for the LORD has told me to go to Jericho."
But Elisha replied again, "As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you." So they went on together to Jericho.
5 Then the group of prophets from Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, "Did you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?"
"Quiet!" he answered again. "Of course I know it."
6 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, for the LORD has told me to go to the Jordan River."
But again Elisha replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you." So they went on together.
7 Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. 8 Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground! 9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, "What can I do for you before I am taken away?"
And Elisha replied, "Please let me become your rightful successor." (2 Kings 2:1-9 NLT)
Keep in mind, Elisha was a young man. The psychological inclination of a typical youth is towards a lifestyle of lofty sentiments. This is usually reflected in the desire of an average youth. He was a young man, and like any one out there he had his needs and aspirations. Who does not want to live in luxurious house? Who does not want to ride in a fancy means of transportation? Who does not want to be surrounded by pretty women who are readily available to meet his manly needs? Who does not want to bask in the sunlight of riches and glamour? Who wants to waste his youthful time being tied to the apron of an old crone of a prophet when one can go out there, paint the town red, and enjoy what the world has to offer?
Elisha's request was a rather unusual one. ........
Elijah mentioned the criteria to be met for Elisha's request to be granted.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah replied. "If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won't." (2 Kings 2:10 NLT)
For Elisha to "see me when I am taken from you" has both physical and spiritual connotation. Hence, it was not as simple to just see him being "taken from you" as it might have sound at first. For him to see Elijah being taken away, he had to stay focussed on him throughout their journey. Think that was easy for a young man who was susceptible to lofty sentiments? You know how easy it is for a youth to lose his / her focus due to one distraction or the other? That's the physical connotation of "If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won't." What about the spiritual connotation?
11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between them, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Israel!" And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his robe in two. (2 Kings 2:11-12 NLT).
Elijah was going to be taken away by "charioteers" (angels) riding on "a chariot of fire" (a golden chariot). The phrase "chariot of fire" describes the intensity of the brightness the chariot. The chariot was made out of an extremely high quality gold the type of which can only be found in heaven. The untarnished purity of the gold yielded a very bright and brilliant appearance. The glitter it radiated was so dazzling it created the impression of "a chariot of fire" on the mind of Elisha. The glitter of the chariot literarily blazed the sky. The "charioteers" (angels) are spirit beings who cannot be seen with the naked eye. It takes the grace of God for the veil to be pulled aside for the physical eyes to see what takes place in the realm of the spirit. The spirit realm is not a common place for human beings. What happens in the spirit sphere is not something the physical eyes and ears are privileged to comprehend. You see why it was not as simple to just see Elijah being taken away as it might have sound? As far as Elisha seeing "me when I am taken from you" is concerned, it depends partly on his human ability and partly on divine grace.
Though Elisha was a youth, he set his eyes and heart on the right things; the things that matter and that really count. And he reaped the benefit at the end of the day.
Related reading can be found under OF MANSIONS AND STRUCTURES.
Further scripture readings pertaining to the blessings of faithfulness can be found in this excerpt culled from the topic OF THE REJECTED STONE AND THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE:13 "You have said terrible things about me," says the LORD.
"But you say, 'What do you mean? How have we spoken against you?'
14 "You have said, 'What's the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins? 15 From now on we will say, "Blessed are the arrogant." For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.'" 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. 17 "They will be my people," says the LORD Almighty. "On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child. 18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not." (Malachi 3:13-18 NLT)
6 ............ for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrew 11:6 NKJV)
30 These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. (Luke 12:30-31 NLT)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:32-33 NKJV)
9 So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. (Galatians 6:9 NLT)
His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matthew 25:21 NKJV)
God bless
Yours
Adekunle Majek'
HIAFEM
Of impact, quality & excellence
That's the Spirit!
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