“Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.”
Luke 19:17
Jesus told a story about three servants who were trusted with investing money. Two of them did a good job. They were enterprising and showed themselves to be wise managers.
In Matthew’s version, when the master returned, he said: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much” (Mat. 25:21).
Jesus spells out the principle: “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” (Lk. 16:10). That’s why God’s people are to select church leaders by looking at how candidates have handled other responsibilities like family and money (see Titus 1:5-9). Look at their track record.
When you find yourself making choices that involve trust it’s worth asking: Where has this person proved faithful? This question will help keep you from trusting the wrong people. It is a great question to ask when you are choosing leaders, friends, employees, or a spouse. It is also a good question to ask when you are deciding whether or not you can trust someone to keep a secret, or when you are deciding what freedoms to allow your children.
When you see people who have proved faithful in what has already been entrusted to them, you can be confident in trusting them with more.
How are you handling the responsibilities that God has already given you?
