Faithful in the few??
Just Thoughts: Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed - Alexander Pope
Many people want everything fast or expect everything given to them, whether its in ministry or work, family or even friendships. As a non-perfect Pastor I've learned to stand firm on Matthew 25:23 - "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
Lately this has been on my mind a lot. As a young youth Pastor, you tend to walk a lonely road, because everyone around you may not understand the weight of a Pastor's heart. In a way its a blessing, because it forces you to fully depend on God for everything. But I look at the verses in Matthew and it basically says to me, you reap what you sow. If I put hard work in to my ministry, remain faithful to my tithes, sow into my church, and do what I'm supposed to do at my job, I will reap the rewards from all my hard work. I don't own a house, I once did, but due to unexpected circumstances I had to sell it. I suffered quietly for several years and my wife never knew this, but I felt ashamed as a man, that I couldn't provide a house to my family. But you see, I wasn't ready for that just yet, God had a plan to change the way I think. A house or money does not define who I am. I never lacked anything, because I continued to work hard and once I realized that I had to remain faithful to everything I was involved in, doors started to open. Not everyone will understand this principle, and will remain bitter over your success, because they don't know the sacrifice and the pain that you had to go through in order to share your master's happiness. Like my father once said, "you don't know the sacrifice of my Hallelujah"
You see as believers we must remain joyful with what we have and what God has given us. We cannot take the attitude of 'expecting' the reward when we are not faithful with the little. Its not something easy, but I've had to learn this same principle. And once you realize this, you can live proud with what you have, regardless if its small or big in the eyes of this world. Paul explained it best about giving thanks for what you have in Philippians chapter 4, but I remind myself with what he said in verse 11 - 'I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.' ... We all have needs and whats amazing about God is that he will bless you unexpectedly, whether its monetary, promotion, health or even true friendships, but you need to be faithful with the little first.
Luke 16:10 - 'Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much ...'
Remain faithful to your ministry, work hard at your job and don't expect everything handed to you from family and friends. Stop waiting for things to happen, step out in faith and make them happen. Overall, depend on God, he will never fail you. 'So take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart' (Ps. 37:4) I claim my house in the name of Jesus.
Words from my heart, be blessed.
Pastor Andres
Many people want everything fast or expect everything given to them, whether its in ministry or work, family or even friendships. As a non-perfect Pastor I've learned to stand firm on Matthew 25:23 - "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
Lately this has been on my mind a lot. As a young youth Pastor, you tend to walk a lonely road, because everyone around you may not understand the weight of a Pastor's heart. In a way its a blessing, because it forces you to fully depend on God for everything. But I look at the verses in Matthew and it basically says to me, you reap what you sow. If I put hard work in to my ministry, remain faithful to my tithes, sow into my church, and do what I'm supposed to do at my job, I will reap the rewards from all my hard work. I don't own a house, I once did, but due to unexpected circumstances I had to sell it. I suffered quietly for several years and my wife never knew this, but I felt ashamed as a man, that I couldn't provide a house to my family. But you see, I wasn't ready for that just yet, God had a plan to change the way I think. A house or money does not define who I am. I never lacked anything, because I continued to work hard and once I realized that I had to remain faithful to everything I was involved in, doors started to open. Not everyone will understand this principle, and will remain bitter over your success, because they don't know the sacrifice and the pain that you had to go through in order to share your master's happiness. Like my father once said, "you don't know the sacrifice of my Hallelujah"
You see as believers we must remain joyful with what we have and what God has given us. We cannot take the attitude of 'expecting' the reward when we are not faithful with the little. Its not something easy, but I've had to learn this same principle. And once you realize this, you can live proud with what you have, regardless if its small or big in the eyes of this world. Paul explained it best about giving thanks for what you have in Philippians chapter 4, but I remind myself with what he said in verse 11 - 'I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.' ... We all have needs and whats amazing about God is that he will bless you unexpectedly, whether its monetary, promotion, health or even true friendships, but you need to be faithful with the little first.
Luke 16:10 - 'Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much ...'
Remain faithful to your ministry, work hard at your job and don't expect everything handed to you from family and friends. Stop waiting for things to happen, step out in faith and make them happen. Overall, depend on God, he will never fail you. 'So take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart' (Ps. 37:4) I claim my house in the name of Jesus.
Words from my heart, be blessed.
Pastor Andres
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