What does God Require?

That's a question I sometimes find myself asking. For any question, the best place to find the answer is in God's Word. What does the Bible say?

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. I Corinthians 4:2

As Christians, we are stewards. We've been entrusted with precious things like God's Word, the Gospel, and the faith once delivered unto the saints...what we do with those things matters for eternity. When we stand before God, what is the one thing we should desire to hear?

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou 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.  Matthew 25:21 and 23

 That verse is mentioned twice in that chapter. Both times Jesus emphasizes good and faithful. I realize He is relaying a parable, but it is a picture of meeting our Lord in eternity, and the one thing we should desire our Father to greet us with upon entering Heaven should be, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Notice He doesn't require us to be rich. Or talented. Or famous. Or popular. Or even a great soul winner (though He does want us to lead people to Him). He doesn't ask us to be powerful, or scholarly, or important. Just simply...faithful.

Anyone can be faithful. If I had to be any of those things I listed above, there wouldn't be much hope for me! I have no great talents to claim, and no great deeds have I done. I'll never be famous or rich, or powerful. I may never be a great soul winner or a mighty prayer warrior (those two are things to strive for though!) but one thing I can do is be faithful.

Over the years I've seen the "numbers" mentality in action. "How many do you run at your church?" "How many joined this year?" etc etc...and I am convinced God is not impressed. His Word emphasizes that the strong will confound the weak, the unwise will confound the wise, and the meek will inherit the earth.

We've allowed the world's mentality of success to affect our churches and our lives and we've lost sight of the fact that God's Word is diametrically opposed to their philosophy. I'm also convinced it discourages some Christians needlessly. They feel they can't measure up to the spiritual "giants" around them so they think to themselves, "why even try?"

Please don't misunderstand me, if you are in a large and growing church that preaches that Blessed Old Book in the straight and narrow way, I'm not being critical, not at all! Praise God that He is blessing you. If you won thirty people to Christ last month, then glory to God! My problem is not with growth, but the mentality that if you aren't "great" then you aren't important to God.

I just believe God views things from a different lens. I could be wrong. I often am. Yet, I believe His Word supports that.

I just want to encourage myself and others who feel discouraged at times, that little is truly much when God is in it. The widow's might was priceless to the Lord. A young shepherd boy defeated the giant. The alabastor box was an act of worship to Christ, and I could go on and on.

And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. Exodus 4:2

So, what's in your hand? We know what Moses did with the rod in his hand. He used it to confound Pharaoh and led millions of people out of bondage. It was just a rod, but he allowed God to use him and that made all the difference.

David had a sling. A young boy had a lunch of loaves and fishes. A woman broke an Alabaster box.  So I ask you, and more importantly, the Lord asked, "What is that in thine hand?"

Whatever God has given you, no matter how insignificant you might think it is, and no matter how insignificant you may think that you are, give it and yourself unto the Lord. Be faithful with what He has given you. You may not lead millions like Moses, but perhaps you'll find yourself worshiping at the feet of Jesus like that woman with her broken alabaster box. Just be faithful. It's what is required, and it's what will be important when you stand before Him.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might... Ecclesiastes 9:10 a

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23