Who Is A Faithful Servant?
John Clardy

Mat 24:45-46

45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

What is the criterion that God uses to judge our success?  There are many things could be mentioned here as to what we think God looks upon as proof of success.  There are those that would argue that those who have built big churches are successful.  Others would say those that have ministered to the sick and seen them healed are successful.  Those that have great talent and ability are probably considered by most to be successful. 

But the Bible plainly tells us that God sees not as men see, for men look at the outward and often superficial appearances, but God looks into the heart of a person and looks at their motive.  In fact the Scriptures plainly show times when God has rejected those that men would have chosen.

1Samuel Chapter 16 recounts the occasion when Samuel the prophet came to Jesse’s house seeking to anoint a king to take the place of King Saul. God had rejected Saul because of disobedience and self promotion.  When Jesse heard why Samuel had come to his house, he proudly paraded his sons before the prophet! And what fine physiological specimens they were!  They looked strong and courageous!  But every time Samuel went to anoint one, God said, “That is not the one, Samuel! Don’t look at the outward appearances, I see their hearts!” 

After all that were present had passed before him Samuel asked Jesse, “Is this all your sons?”  Almost like it was an afterthought Jesse replied, “There still remains the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep!”  Samuel said, “Send for him and bring him here for we will not rest until he comes!”  When David arrived, the Lord said to Samuel, “This is the one! Arise and anoint him!”

David was just doing what he was supposed to be doing.  Nothing spectacular, nothing noticeable to most people, but he was faithful to do what he had been asked to do.  He watched the sheep, he calmed the sheep, he ate with the sheep, slept with the sheep, he smelled like the sheep and he protected the sheep.  No one saw it when he defeated the lion and the bear that threatened the flock, but God saw it.  David did not desert his post!  He was doing what his father told him to do and did not quit until his father sent for him!  God saw it and God wanted that kind of person to lead his people.

We find the wisdom of God just a chapter later in 1Samuel 17.  David’s brothers whose countenance and stature appeared courageous, were hiding in caves afraid of a Philistine named Goliath.  When Goliath challenged them and the God of Israel, none of them would stand and fight.  Who was it that took up the cause?  A little shepherd boy that most had overlooked!  A little shepherd boy that did not shirk his duty in the sheep pasture, did not cower before the giant either!  Through him, God gave Israel a mighty victory!

You will find this pattern throughout Scripture. The people God uses are people who are faithful with what He has put before them. The people God uses in big things are people who are faithful in little things. There are a lot of people that claim that they want to be used of God.  Many have said, “One of these days I am going to do something great for God!” 

But that day never arrives!  Why, because they are not serving the Lord where they are right now! They are looking for some mystical, miraculous event to happen that will propel them into a dynamic, super spiritual dimension.  It will never happen because they have not learned to seize the daily, even mundane opportunities they now have.

In 1 Kings 19:19 the Bible says that when Elijah the prophet went looking for someone to transfer his ministry to, he found someone who was busy working. 

What was Elisha doing when Elijah called him into the Lord's service? Was he walking around saying, "I wonder if God ever will do anything in my life?"  No. He was busy. He was plowing a field.

Jesus asked this question; “Who is a faithful and wise servant that the Lord will make ruler over his household?  It is the servant that is doing what he was asked to do!”

When we are busy looking for distant opportunities, we might miss the ones that are right in front of us.

Are you a faithful servant? Are you serving the Lord right now with what He has called you to do? If so, be encouraged. Hang in there. Don’t be so busy looking for distant opportunities that you miss the ones that are right in front of you today! Do what you are doing now well. Do it as unto the Lord. He sees you, and He will one day reward you openly!