Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (AMP)
Faithfulness has never been glamorous; it does not get applause. It does not trend; it does not always yield instant results. But, in God’s eyes, it is the truest measure of stewardship, being faithful over what you have, no matter how small, no matter who’s watching.
Faithfulness is the Foundation of Stewardship
When Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he reminded them that being a steward was not about position or prestige, that it was very very much about trust. A steward manages what belongs to another and our lives, gifts, opportunities, and resources ultimately belong to God. Faithfulness, then, is not about control; it is very very much about care.
Jesus tells us this in Luke 16:10: “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much.”
The lesson is clear: God does not promote based on potential; He promotes based on proven character. Before the “much” comes, there must be consistency in the “little.” Before the visible reward, there is always a season of quiet reliability.
The Hidden Test of the Few
Being “faithful over few” most of the time feels like being unseen. Maybe your work seems unnoticed, maybe your efforts seem small compared to others, but stewardship is not about size; it is about sincerity. The same God who watches kings rule watches servants sweep floors.
Faithfulness is doing what is right when it is routine, when it is work. It is showing up even when no one is clapping; it is staying true even when shortcuts look tempting. The few, the little tasks, the small opportunities are the tests that shape your readiness for greater responsibility.
Faithfulness Builds Trust
In any relationship, whether with God, people, or purpose, trust is built through faithfulness. Each time we fulfill our duty with integrity, we reinforce that trust, and over time, this becomes our testimony.
God does not just call us to be fruitful; He calls us to be faithful. Fruitfulness is often the visible result, but faithfulness is the invisible root; the world values outcomes, but God values obedience.
Faithfulness Will Always Be Rewarded
Faithfulness may feel thankless, but it is never wasted. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:21) reveals the heart of God toward faithful stewards: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.”
Notice that the reward was not for brilliance, but for faithfulness. The servant did not have to outperform; he simply had to stay true to being faithful.
Your “few” may be your current job, your small ministry, your family, or your quiet personal growth. Whatever it is, manage it as if it were sacred, because it is. God sees it all, and when the time is right, He will open doors that faithfulness alone can unlock.
Each of us is entrusted with something, yes each of us, everyone of us has been entrusted with something, time, skill, opportunity, influence, or wisdom. Whether we call it God-given or nature-given, these are not possessions to be hoarded, but seeds meant to grow.
The tragedy of the third servant is not his lack of return, but it is his lack of courage. Fear made him waste his potential, and so he chose safety over service, caution over calling. And in the same way, when we hide our gifts, silence our voice, or let fear dictate our choices, we bury our talents in the ground. And life, as the parable reminds us: Life is NOT gentle with what goes unused, and over time, even what we have begins to fade because it has not been used and is not fruitful.
Continue Reading: The Parable of The Talents: We Must Increase What We Have Been Given
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Conclusion
So in today’s world where most people are obsessed with their definition of success, remember this: Faithfulness is success in God’s language. The true measure of stewardship is not how much you have gained, but how well you have guarded what you have been given.
So be faithful in the small! Be trustworthy in the unseen! Be diligent in the details! Because every moment of faithfulness is a seed sown into eternity, and in God’s timing, faithfulness always bears fruit.
