THE SUPREME TEST OF CHARACTER

LUKE 16:1

A. "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"
  1. In the parable with which these words are associated our Lord commands the forethought of the steward:
    1. He says that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light
    2. We can appreciate the words of the Lord when we consider how our lives are made up of little things
  2. Faithfulness in the little things of life:
    1. Differentiation between what men call small things and large things is purely a human concept
    2. Because with God there are no small or little things B. THE SUPREME TEST OF CHARACTER
  3. Character reveals itself in the faithfulness of little things:
    1. David's faithfulness in caring for the few sheep of his father was a clear indication of special qualities that made him the king of Israel - I Sam. 17:32-37
    2. The poor widow's mite weighed more than all the riches of the wealthy put into the treasury - Mark 12:42-44
    3. The crude ark made by Jochebed was important in the eyes of the Lord as the ark prepared by Noah - Ex. 2:3
  4. We make a mistake when we look upon small duties or assignments as of secondary importance:
    1. Physical science reached a great maxim when scientists discovered the great potential of the atom
    2. Cloud bursts that fill streams are made up of little water drops
  5. Faithfulness in the so called minor duties of life:
    1. Are a must in the making the tools and vehicles used by man for comfort and safety
    2. That is doubly true in our relationship to God and His will - James 2:10 C. GOD VALUES CHARACTER WHICH IS BASED UPON LOVING FAITHFULNESS
  6. He speaks of those who were faithful in the little things of life as:
    1. "My jewels"- Mal. 3:17
    2. "A man greatly beloved" - Dan. 10:11
    3. "The friend of God" - James 2:23; Is. 41:8
  7. Character is the fruit of development and not necessarily natural:
    1. Paul testifies to this fact when he speaks of his relentless quest to become like the Lord Jesus whom he loved dearly - Phil. 3:10-14
    2. It is a part of the steady growth in Christian graces - 2 Pet. 1:2-8
    3. It is when we copy the divine pattern of faithfulness that we become partakers of the same nature - 2 Cor. 3:17-18
    4. To Him there were no minor duties; all were paramount; be that of helping His father in the carpenter's shop or healing the sick
  8. Faithfulness in that which seems less important is a positive indication of faithfulness in larger assignments in life:
    1. Living up to the principle of healthful living was as important to Daniel as the discharge of his major duties as the Prime Minister in the great Empires of Babylon and Medo-Persia - Dan. 1:8; 6:4
    2. Caring for the sheep of his father-in-law was as important to Moses relationship to God as when he sought to lead a million people to the promised land
  9. What great challenge comes to us in our opening text:
    1. We profess to be God's remnant people of which it is written "that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus" - Rev. 14:12
    2. We sincerely believe that we are commissioned by God to lead men back to faithfulness to both God and man - Rev. 14:6-12
    3. How do we measure up in being faithful in that which is least? - Mal. 3:8-11; God help us to benefit by this message of the hour.


Design © John Bryant 2011