When last did you have the sense that God is pleased with you? The normal state of the Christian should be one of blessing and enjoying God’s favour.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works”. That word was given to us to make us rejoice or be glad so we don’t become spiritual failures. The faith that joins us to Christ and makes us have peace with Him, is also the faith that works itself out in practical ways.
For too long we have sat in pews and let others do the work. We have relied on the anointing of some gifted men and women, but I believe God is calling each of us to cross over into the promised land under His anointing.
God wants us to do the work of the kingdom, this is a new day, an exciting time that is full of promise.
One of the basic principles is found in James 4:8, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” – it is clear; we move…. and He moves. We want to move in increased power and authority and see His kingdom come but are we ready for it? We want more but are we mature enough to handle more?
The Bible shows us that there is more. We need to be hungry for the Lord and His righteousness – that sounds basic but it is also foundational. We will not have power and authority apart from intimacy with the Lord and there is a biblical connection between good stewardship and God’s power and authority.
We find it in the parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16:1-13, “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. If you have not been faithful in unrighteous mammon, who will commit true riches to you?”
Unrighteous mammon means worldly wealth and faithful means trustworthy. We want to be trusted with more though we are not even trustworthy with worldly things. The principle is clear; we need to be faithful in the least before we can be trusted with true riches.
As partners in the Gospel He has given us the privilege to work with Him. We need to see ourselves as stewards of all that we have because everything belongs to the Lord anyway. He will take trustworthy people whose hearts are set on Him and pour resources into their hands. But for this to happen we need to be faithful in the small things.
Winning the lottery does not make you a great giver or good steward. Having mere money only reveals what is already in your heart. Instead of compromising, be faithful in the little things and do what pleases Him.
Our faith is grounded in His faithfulness – this will empower us to be faithful in the least.