Prosperous Mindset #5 - Faithful With What You Have

We've been looking at the mindset of a truly prosperous person. So far, we've seen that:
Prosperous people are disciplined.
Prosperous people value money correctly.
Prosperous people are selfless givers.
Prosperous people know where their blessings come from.

Moving on to our fifth mindset of biblically prosperous people: These are the people who recognize the responsibility to properly manage what they currently have.

Prove It NOW

When someone only has a little of value, it's easy for them to take what they have lightly. There is a  common mindset today that says: "One day, when I have more, I'll take better care of it than what I'm doing right now." But this mentality leads to perpetual poverty...and someone who thinks that way can never prosper. 

Why not? Because of this universal truth found in Luke 16:10, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."

You can keep lying to yourself if you want to.
"I'll take my job more seriously when they pay me more."
"I'll take better care of my car once I get a new one."
"I'll show up on time when I finally get my promotion."
"If my pastor would just give me an important responsibility, I'd be more faithful in church."

But all of those statements just aren't true. You're proving how you'd manage more by how you're handling what you have now. You probably won't get that promotion (or pay raise) if you're slacking off in your job right now. If the car you're driving now is trashed, your next one will be too. If the pastor can't trust you to clean the lobby before service, then how can he trust you with the responsibility of teaching the people?

No...you will NOT do anything differently just because you have more money, possessions, or responsibility. Doing things differently - managing things better - needs to be a decision that you make now, no matter how little you currently have.

It All Came From God's Hand

1 Corinthians 4:7 - "What do you have that you did not receive?"

The first part of being faithful is to recognize that everything you have was given to you by God. When He gave it to you, He trusted you as a steward to take care of it. (Stewardship is an old term describing someone who was hired to manage someone else's stuff or business affairs.) Question: How pleased do you think He is with how you're handling it?

Everything in your life was entrusted to you by God Himself. No matter how much or how little; He is very interested in how you're managing it all. Whether it's your money (rich or poor), your possessions (new or old), your time ("busy" or "free time"), or your job (from line worker to business owner). God delegated those things into your hands. What kind of report are you going to give Him when He asks you?

It's wrong for you to think that your tiny amount of possessions is meaningless.
It's wrong for you to think that your increase came from your own hands.
Whether you have a lot or a little - manage it faithfully!

In Matthew 25:14-29, we see Jesus describe our need for faithfulness by telling a story of three stewards...each of whom were given charge of different divisions of their employer's business. Each steward received a different level of resources from their boss, and was ordered to take those resources and run with them. Later, when he came back to check on them, they would be called to give an account of what they produced. 

Notice what we read in verse 15 (NLT) - "He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last - dividing it in proportion to their abilities..." We can see two major points in that one passage:
First - these stewards didn't produce these resources on their own, these things were given to them. This means that those resources were not theirs to do with as they pleased.
Second - the resources were given according "to their abilities." None of them could rightfully say, "I deserved more". Neither could they accuse their employer of giving them too much. The business was perfectly divided based on what these men had already proven capable of. 

You and I cannot rightfully ask God, "Why haven't You given me more?"
The answer to that question is simple...He's only given you what you've proven you can handle.

At the same time, none of us can rightfully accuse God, "I didn't ask for this - why did you put this much on my plate?" 
The answer to that question is as simple as the first...He's only given you what you've proven you can handle.

The Opposite Of Faithful Is...

In Jesus' story, we see that the boss had two outstanding employees. The third one was...well, let's just say he wasn't exactly the model of faithfulness. When the boss returned from his trip, he openly commended and promoted the first two. But then he just as openly chewed the other out and dealt out consequences.

Look at how he described the first two: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things." These two men took what their boss trusted them with and used it to the best of their abilities. They got to work, doing business on his behalf, and bringing him a profit. Jesus called these two men good and faithful.

Remembering what the boss said to these first two, let's now take a look at his words to the last worker. Not only did this man not do his best to bring his employer profit...he didn't even do the minimum! Instead, he kept the money safe; holding onto it until his boss came back. Look at the words of the boss...and by extension, Jesus' own words: "You wicked and lazy servant..."

This man was the direct opposite of the other two. He was angry about what his boss required from him; but they were grateful for the opportunity. He did the bare minimum; but they did everything they could. He was wicked, but they were good. Now notice this final contrast: the good workers were faithful, while the wicked one was lazy.

According to Jesus Himself: the opposite of faithfulness isn't unfaithfulness. He clearly states here that either you will be faithful with what He gave you, or you will be lazy with it. This direct contrast eliminates the excuses about what you can and can't do, or what is or is not fair.

Whether we like it or not, the Word of God tells us that laziness is the only reason we wouldn't be faithful in the things He gave us.
 - Finances
 - Time
 - Relationships
 - Jobs
 - Ministry and Opportunities to Serve

Whatever that thing is that your Lord trusted to you: Will you be faithful with it and be profitable, or will you be lazy and offer Him excuses?