"One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk said they were filled, as were all the hotels in town. 'But I can't send a fine couple like you out in the rain,' he said. 'Would you be willing to sleep in my room?' The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. The next morning when the man paid his bill, he said, 'You're the kind of man who should be managing the best hotel in the United States. Someday I'll build you one.' The clerk smiled politely. A few years later the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that stormy night and asking him to come to New York. A round-trip ticket was enclosed. When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where stood a magnificent new building. 'That,' explained the man, 'is the hotel I have built for you to manage.' The man was William Waldorf Astor, and the hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria. The young clerk, George C. Boldt, became its first manager."
Faithfulness in the smallest things leads to rewards beyond the imagination. Note the promises of the Scriptures: "A faithful man shall abound with blessings" (Proverbs 28:20a) . . ."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" (Luke 16:10) . . . "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew25:23). Faithfulness is moral fidelity, trustworthiness, and firm belief. God is faithful in all things (Hebrews 10:23) and expects no less from His saints (Revelation 2:10).
In other words, God wants everyone to live RIGHT. Dan Winkler has observed that means one must live by God's Revelation (2 Tim. 3:16,17), minding one's Influence (Matthew 5:16), giving God Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), looking forward to Heaven (Philippians 3:14), and Trusting God by acting in obedient faith (Hebrews 11:6). Of course, the blessings that result from the "right" life are numerous. This is evidenced clearly in the life of "faithful Abraham" (Galatians 3:9).
First, he lived faithfully by God's revelation in leaving his home behind in search of a better country (Genesis 12:1-3; Hebrews 11:16). Can we honestly say that we are fully obedient to God's revealed will? The attitude of the bumper sticker should stick with us, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it." Second, he thought of his influence as he was circumcised at ninety-nine years old and kept the covenant with God by enforcing this command for all males in his house (Genesis 17:23-27; 21:4). Our influence in faithfulness is a great blessing to others in leading them to righteousness (Proverbs 4:11). Third, Abraham glorified God by respecting Him, magnifying, Him and honoring Him. He did not receive the glory but he gave it all to God (Romans 4:1-3).
Likewise, faithfulness will cause us to glorify God with our minds, attitudes, worship, and good works (Psalm 29:2). Fourth, Abraham "looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). Every Christian who walks in faithfulness knows that there is a home awaiting beyond this life (2 Corinthians 5:1).
Finally, faithful Abraham trusted God in one of the most trying moments in his life. "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure" (Hebrews 11:17-19). Faithfulness demands a firm belief that God is able to perform what He says (Romans 4:21). God has promised a crown of life to all the faithful that love Him even through difficult times (James 1:12). With all this in mind, let us consider our own faithfulness in comparison to Abraham. Let us consider the blessings that will be ours if only we endure to the end (Revelation 2:10)!
- via The Contender, the weekly bulletin published by the Walnut Grove church of Christ in Benton, KY. Kevin Williams preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted at wgcoc@bellsouth.net
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