On our last lesson, we meditated on the 'great' faithfulness of God and have noted examples of a faithful people in the OT & NT. Now we need to answer the question'To be faithful what?" Yes, the Word of God tells us to be faithful in all aspects of our lives. Let us think about these in brief :

1. Faithful in giving :- God Himself is a giver and because of His faithfulness in giving we have all things we need in this world as well as in the world to come. (Rom 8:32). As we receive from Him so also we have to be faithful in giving. We learn of the important truth when we take the warning from Acts 5. The couple in the story had decided to give unto the Lord in His Church as all other disciples were also giving generously.
But they deliberately withheld part of the amount thinking nobobody knew it. But the Lord who honors faithfulness in all our transactions, judged the couple instantly for their dishonesty. It is a very serious matter with God when we promise or determine anything in our heart that we hesitate or neglect to fulfill it. (Eccl. 5: 4,5).

2. Faithful in using :- Our Gracious Lord has given us many things for our use to live in this world happily and to serve Him too-both Spiritual and material. The story of talents in Matthew 25:14 helps us to understand the blessings and rewards that come when we use what we have already been given-be they time, talents, treasures etc. It is not how much you have but what are you doing with what you havve? Because the same blessing is announced for both 5 & 2 talented servants. It is the faithfulness that was appreciated by the Master, and not the success. It is not how much work you are doing or how big; but are you faithful in what you are given to do ? The Lord gives us according to our ability to handle the things, and expects to see responsibility and accountability in using them before He could give us authority- reward of promotion. So obedience comes first and then ruling. The Lord is not pleased with'useless' servant but rather condemns him to the outer darkness. What God has given to you-use it, from today, starting now !

3. Faithful in our house :- Heb. 3:1-6. Moses was faithful in all his house - the house of God. Lord Jesus as a Son was far more faithful in His own house - since He is the owner & builder of God's house. God expects His people to be faithful in their own houses so that they can also be faithful in the house of God which is the pillar & ground of the truth (I Tim 3:15). Each one in the family should be faithful in the God-given duties & responsibilities towards each another. Since 'home' or family is the unit of the Church, the testimony, stability, leadership and the healthy growth of the Church is depending upon the condition of the family. (I Tim. 3:4-5; 5:4,8, Tit 2:4-5). If the family fails, then Church can't be strong for long, If you are faithful in your own house, then you will be faithful in the house of God. Amen !

4. Faithful till the end :- Sometimes due to changing conditions around us and because of others, we falter and fail in our faithfulness. However, God has made every provision to help us be faithful 'always' and to the end of our lives. Sometimes it may be costly-you may have to face sufferings, persecutions for your faithfulness. That was exactly the experience Apostle John was going through when he had the vision and exhorted the Churches going through various experiences, the book of Revelation. In Rev 2:10, we are encouraged to be faithful, even if it means death!

There will also be times when the Lord will intervene and preserve His fathful people as in the case of Joseph, Daniel & his friends. Yes, God is faithful and He honors & rewards faithfulness in our lives at any cost! His promises of His presence of comfort, and the future glory and His all - sufficient grace enable us to be faithful always, in everything and even unto the end. Amen.