John Bevere - How God Measures Faithfulness
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Now that I’ve talked to leadership staff and team members from all over the country, I’m going to share something. After speaking to many leadership teams, I asked them to provide definitions of «faithful.» I’m going to give you a list of the majority of the answers I get when I say, «Give me a list of what’s faithful,» because I don’t want to take the time tonight to cover it all. So, we’re going to look at the screen. Here are steadfast, consistent, dependable, reliable, loyal, true, trustworthy, devoted, truthful. These are the answers I receive when I ask for definitions of being faithful, because God says one thing is required of the steward: to be found faithful. Do you know the one definition that I’ve never heard from any leadership team, despite it being one of the greatest and most important definitions of faithful? It’s multiplication.
Let’s read the story: «For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man traveling to a far country who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.» See there, steward of his goods? Jesus said to one, he gave five talents. Now, this is a parable. A talent is basically money. What he’s talking about is our gifts, but it’s a parable. To one he gave five talents, to another he gave two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. So, we’re going to modernize this. We’re going to identify the people: let’s say Ashley was given five talents, Dave was given two, and Larry was given one. If your name is Larry here tonight, no meanness intended. Then, if we keep reading, Ashley, who had received five talents, went and traded them and made another five talents. So Ashley starts with five, she doubles it, she multiplies what’s given to her, and she ends up with ten. Likewise, Dave, who had received two, gained two more. So Dave had two, multiplied it, and got four. But Larry, who had received one, went and dug in the ground and hid his lord’s money.
Are we clear on this? Ashley starts out with five, multiplies, and ends up with ten. Dave starts with two, multiplies, and ends up with four. Larry ends up with one and maintains one. Now, let’s keep reading. After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So, Ashley, who had received five talents, came and brought five other talents, saying, «Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents beside them.» Now, listen to this. Her lord said to her, «Well done, good and faithful servant!» Now, look at this: «You were faithful over a few things.» Wait a minute, the only thing identified that she’s done is multiply.
Notice he specifically links her multiplying to being faithful. «You were faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord.» Then Dave, who had received two, came and multiplied his two into four, and his lord said to him, «Well done, good and faithful servant.» «You have been"—come on, shout it—what’s the only thing Jesus said he did? He multiplied. Do you see how Jesus links faith directly with multiplication? «You were faithful over a few things; I’ll make you ruler over many things, and in the joy of your lord.»
Now watch Larry. Then, Larry, who had received one talent, came and said, «Lord, I knew you to be a hard man.» Here’s his first problem: he doesn’t understand the character of his master, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. «I was afraid.» Problem number two: fear. Fear will keep you from operating in your gift. «And I went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.» Now, look at this: but his lord answered and said, «You wicked and lazy servant.» Notice he doesn’t say «you wicked and lazy outsider.» This guy is in his kingdom. Are you with me? I know this is strong, but it’s true.
Now, in regard to our labor, everybody say «labor.» God views those who multiply as faithful and good, but God views those who maintain as wicked and lazy. Okay, so you know the mindset: «Well, I’ve got my nice little business, my nice small family, and I go to church every Sunday. I’m being faithful!» No, according to Jesus, you’re being lazy and possibly wicked. Now, this is a complete paradigm shift, guys. We think faithful is just maintaining the fort, when in reality, being faithful to God is multiplication. What’s the first commandment God gave to man when he put us on the earth? «Be fruitful and multiply.» He wasn’t just talking about having babies; he was saying, «Anything I give to you, return it back to me multiplied.»