20.  A faithful man shall abound with blessings:

6.   Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

1.   Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

The Psalmist continues in verse 2;

2.   They speak vanity <shav> (emptiness) every one with his neighbour: with flattering <chelqah> (smooth) lips and with a double heart do they speak.

6.   Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

In the 16^th Chapter of Luke’s gospel, beginning in verse 1, the Lord Jesus Christ gave His disciples a parable about an unjust, an unfaithful steward, in order to teach them some very basic principles about faithfulness.

Beginning in verse 1 we are told;

1.   And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
2.   And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

3.   Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
4.   I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
5.   So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
6.   And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
7.   Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

8.   And the lord (of the unjust steward) commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely <phronimos> (prudently): for the children of this world are in their generation wiser <phronimos> (more prudent) than the children of light.

9.   And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

9.   And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), so that when it fails, they (those you have favored) may receive and welcome you into the everlasting habitations (dwellings).

10.  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.

Now the first thing we need to understand is that this principle dealing with faithfulness is absolute and unchangeable. Not only is this principle absolute and unchangeable. It applies to everything we do, in every area of our lives. Not just the quote "spiritual" aspect of our lives. The Lord Jesus Christ stated here that If one is unjust, unfaithful in the little things that they do, they also will be unjust; they also will be unfaithful in much! There is no middle ground. We are either faithful, or we are unfaithful.

Now in context, the Lord Jesus Christ stated this principle in direct reference to the unjust steward and his unfaithfulness to his master, in unrighteous mammon. And so in verses 11 and 12 the Lord Jesus Christ further amplifies this principle of faithfulness by asking His disciples two rhetorical questions.

In verse 11 the Lord Jesus Christ asks the first question ;

11.  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true (*riches) ?

If you are unfaithful in unrighteous mammon, in the worldly material things that you possess, who will commit to your trust the true riches? The answer is implied. If you are unfaithful in unrighteous mammon, in the material, worldly things you possess, God will not commit to your trust His true riches. Why? Because if you are not faithful in everything, you are not faithful in anything!

And then in verse 12 the Lord Jesus Christ asks the second question;

12.  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

And then in verse 13, the Lord Jesus Christ states another vital principle on faithfulness;

13.  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (worldly material possessions).

And that’s why in Luke 14:33 the Lord Jesus Christ said;

33.  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh (renouncing) not all that he hath (all that he possesses), he cannot be my disciple.

22.  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23.  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24.  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25.  For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26.  And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

14.  And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided <ekmukterizo> (outright sneered at) him.

15.  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

5.   And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

But notice in verse 6, the Lord Jesus Christ’s response to them;

6.   And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Beginning in verse 7ff. the Lord Jesus Christ addresses their real problem by asking them a series of questions;

7.   But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8.   And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9.   Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow (think) not.

10.  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

This is amplified to us first in Ephesians 2:8 where we are told;

8.   For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

And James 4:6ff tells us what we must do to receive grace;

6.   But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth <antitassomai> (is against orderly arranging the life of) the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

How do we allow ourselves to be humbled? Verse 7 tells us;

7.   Submit <hupotasso> (the orderly arrangement of) yourselves therefore to God. Resist <anthistemi> (standing against) the devil, and he will flee from you.

8.   Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded <dipsuchos> (double souled).
9.   Be afflicted <talaiporeo> (recognize your wretchedness), and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10.  Humble yourselves in (this manner in) the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Romans 10:17 tells us;

17.  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

10.  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

How important is this? In 1 Corinthians 4:2 the Apostle Paul wrote;

2.   Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

The answer is found in 2 Peter 1:1-15 where the Apostle Peter begins;

1.   Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

He continues..

2.   Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3.   According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue <arete> (manliness or valor):

And then in verse 4 the Apostle tells us first what God has done so we can live this manner of life;

4.   Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by <dia> (through) these ye might be partakers of the divine <theios> (godlike) nature, <phusis> (growth process) having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And then in verses 5ff the Apostle tells us what we must do, or our responsibilities, in order to actually experience and live this manner of life;

5.   And beside (because of) this, giving all diligence (haste and earnestness), add to <epichoregeo> (choreograph upon) your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6.   And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7.   And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

And so first, we are exhorted to earnestly choreograph upon our faith, virtue, or manliness, valor. What does this really mean? It means to be determined to do whatever God says, whatever the cost! Why is this so important? Because without virtue your commitment is superficial. We just read the Lord Jesus Christ’s own teachings on faithfulness. You can readily see that virtue is an absolute necessity to live faithful lives.

In Luke 9:62 the Lord Jesus Christ told a man who said he would follow Him but first he had to bid them farewell which were at his home;

62. No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

What prevents a person from receiving the knowlege of God?

In Ephesians 4:17-18 the Apostle Paul wrote;

17.  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness <porosis> (the callousness or hardness) of their heart:

It’s very fitting that Thayer calls self control a virtue. Because it takes a man to discipline his own life to please God. The great tragedy is that discipline is the most lacking characteristic in our society today. There is absolutely no way to build faithfulness to God in our lives without discipline! We can only apply the knowledge of God to our lives through discipline.

Yes, it will cause you to suffer…1 Peter 4:1-2 tells us;

1.   Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same (intent of) mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2.   That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Thayer’s Dictionary defines the word patience #5281 <hupomone>

1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance

a) in the New Testament, the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings
b) patiently, and steadfastly

2) a patient, steadfast waiting for

3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

What does it mean? Job said it best in Job 13:15;

15.  Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:

10.  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11.  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12.  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13.  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14.  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15.  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

What is godliness?

1 John 2:6 defines it plainly;

6.   He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

And then we are to diligently choreograph to our faith, our virtue, our knowlege, our temperance, our patience, our godliness, brotherly kindness <philadelphia>. This may sound strange to us, but until we have reached this point in our faithfulness, any attempts we make to show true brotherly kindness are mere demonstrations of our fleshly pride not yet under control.

Rom 12:10 tells us;

10.  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1) the mutual love of parents and children and wives and husbands
2) loving affection, prone to love, loving tenderly; chiefly of the reciprocal tenderness of parents and children

God’s <agape> love is defined for us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

4.   Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5.   Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6.   Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7.   Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8.   Charity never faileth:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 tells it just like it is;

1.   Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2.   And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3.   And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing

Continuing in our text, verse 8ff, listen to what the Apostle Peter tells us;

8.   For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9.   But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10.  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11.  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12.  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

13.  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

14.  Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15.  Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

In 1 Corinthians 4:2 we are told;

2.   Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

6.   Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

10.  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.
11.  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12.  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
13.  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

7.   But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8.   And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9.   Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow (think) not.
10.  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.