Being faithful to God’s trust

When someone asks us whether we trust God, we might answer, “Yes, I do trust Him.” Trusting God is something we all fail to do at times. The Israelites failed to trust God during their desert journey, even though they witnessed many miracles in their lives. On the other hand, King Saul trusted God, even though he knew that God had forsaken him.

How do we know King Saul trusted God? Because he did not worship other gods. Even when he consulted the witch of Endor, he sought to contact Samuel. Although it was not actually Samuel. Therefore, some people fail to trust God despite witnessing miracles, while a select few trust Him completely. But the real question is, “Does God trust you?”

God may want to entrust you with many gifts and talents. However, before He does, He waits to see if you are trustworthy. Even those God trusts can make mistakes and disappoint Him. King Saul is a prime example. God trusted him and made him king over all Israel, but Saul ultimately failed to prove his faithfulness. This story reminds us that even those entrusted with great gifts need to remain faithful.

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1,2

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses their divisions and reminds them that they all follow one leader – Christ. He emphasizes that Paul, Apollos, and Cephas are all simply servants of Christ entrusted with God’s secret truths. Like slaves entrusted with their master’s secrets, we, the believers, hold these precious truths. However, the crucial question remains: are we faithful stewards of these secrets? Are we living up to the trust God has placed in us?

The verse says that it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove their faithfulness. Sometimes, we may work hard to gain the trust of God but fail to prove our faithfulness. Jonah was entrusted with the mission of going to Nineveh, but he failed to prove his faithfulness at that time. Moses was entrusted with the people of Israel and was given a mission to bring them to the land of Canaan but in a moment of frustration He failed to Honour God. These stories remind us that faithfulness requires constant effort. So, are we living up to the trust God has placed in us?

“Well done, my good servant!” his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities. Luke 19:17

This passage comes from the parable of the ten minas. A nobleman entrusts each of his ten servants with ten minas, and told them to put that money to work until his return. One servant put that money to work and obtained ten more minas while the other obtained five more. However, the third servant returned with the original ten minas because he did not put that to work as he laid it away in a piece of cloth.

There’s a similar parable in Matthew 25 where a master distributes varying amounts of talents (a larger unit of currency) to his servants. Some doubled their talents while one servant dug a hole and hid his master’s money. Hence, He could not produce more money.

In both parables, the masters entrust their servants with money. These masters trusted that if they give them their money these servants won’t spend it on themselves. They knew that these servants are trustworthy and can be trusted with the money. But again, God differentiates them based on their faithfulness. Some obeyed their master and put their money to work while some just buried it and put the money away. They did not prove their faithfulness.

What were the consequences of unfaithfulness in these parables? In the parable of the ten minas, the unproductive servant’s mina was taken away. In the parable of the talents, the unfaithful servant not only lost his talents but was also cast into darkness, a place of suffering. These parables prompt us to consider: “Did God entrust you with something?” If so, “Have you been faithful to it?” Remember, the master will one day return and hold his servants accountable for what they did with what they were given. He wants to know what His trusted servants did?

Maybe we don’t know what God has entrusted us with. Maybe we don’t know what to do. Let’s look at the life of Daniel. He began interpreting dreams of King because the lives of wise men were in danger. But the dream of Nebuchadnezzar left an impression in his life that he dreamt more about that matter. Daniel 7:1 says – In the first year of Belshazzar King of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.

Daniel had many visions, and none of them made sense to him at first. Yet, he faithfully wrote down the substance of his dreams, recording everything he could understand. He made an effort to grasp the meaning, demonstrating his faithfulness to the visions God entrusted him with. So, the next time we feel unsure about what God has entrusted to us, let’s make a similar effort to show faithfulness to God’s trust.

Many may still expect a miracle when they are not able to bear the fruits God entrusted them with. But the harsh truth is if God has entrusted you with something, He won’t be giving you extra instead there would only be snatching and that too from the ones who don’t bear fruits.

Seeing a fig-tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. Mathew 21:19

When Jesus was hungry and wanted to eat, He saw a fig tree full of leaves but with no fruit. So, he cursed it saying “May you never bear fruit again”. Perhaps someone planted this fig tree by the roadside hoping travelers could enjoy its fruit. However, the tree failed to fulfil its purpose.

Jesus, who could have blessed the tree, chose not to. He, after all, demonstrated His power by making Aaron’s staff not only sprout but bud, blossom, and produce almonds overnight. So why the curse on the fig tree?

Jesus was hungry, so here’s the question: Why did He curse the fig tree instead of blessing it to produce fruit immediately? Blessing it would have provided for both him and future travellers. The cursing seems harsh. We can recall Jesus’ question to the Pharisees: “Which is easier: to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?'” Similarly, we can ask God: “Which was easier to say to the fig tree, ‘Be fruitful, and many may eat your fruit,’ or ‘May you never bear fruit again’?”

The Sower likely planted the fig tree hoping it would provide fruit for travellers. But when it failed there only one option left for Jesus and that is to snatch away the capability of fruitfulness from it.

So, if we are entrusted by God, are we being faithful to that trust? God may trust you with your family, church, or the people around you. He may also entrust you with the gifts He grants you. But even then, it is required of you to prove your faithfulness. Prove your faithfulness by hitting the target because you are trusted with it and are placed in the QUIVER OF GOD.