42 AND the Lord replied, “A FAITHFUL, SENSIBLE SERVANT IS ONE TO WHOM THE MASTER CAN GIVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGING HIS OTHER HOUSEHOLD SERVANTS AND FEEDING THEM.
43 If the master returns and FINDS THAT THE SERVANT HAS DONE A GOOD JOB, THERE WILL BE A REWARD.
44 I tell you the truth, THE MASTER WILL PUT THAT SERVANT IN CHARGE OF ALL HE OWNS."
Luke 12:42-44 (NLT)
• Whoever is privileged to serve in God's Kingdom or vineyard should cherish and treasure It, and should not be taken for granted.
The person should know that he or she is a servant, and he or she would be required to give an account of their stewardship.
And such should also know that his or her results would determine their rewards; when the appraisal or assessment, or the evaluation of his or her achievement on the assignment, is done (Luke 12:44).
In the consideration of some of the things said above, whoever in the Ministry leadership should possess certain qualities which would be needed in the course of fulfilling his or her assignment, that he or she might not be a failure.
We wanted to expatiate some of the needed points here:
I. Ableness—ability.
Ability means the capacity you have in handling things that might be committed to your hand. It talks about How skillful you Are. It is important to note that the more skillful you are in the assignment which God has given you, the more He entrusted into your hand.
Your ableness or expertise is determined by the level of your knowledge. Crave for knowledge is one of the qualities, or distinguishing attributes, or inherent features needed to succeed in the ministry work.
However, after you have acquired the knowledge, you had been taught and trained, which is skills acquisition; What then would you do with the knowledge acquired?
The person or people who taught and trained you, have done their part, taught and trained you; it is now left for you to do your own part by applying the knowledge, putting what you have been taught to work.
Your greatness in life is attached to what you do with the call of God on your life, that is, how you respond to the call of God on your life.
How you responded to the assignment or vision which God has given to you matters. Some had attended a training School and gone back to sit down and do nothing for God, even with the knowledge they have acquired.
You should know that God will ask you, what you do with the call and the knowledge you are privileged to be given. You will give an account of your stewardship (Matthew 25:19-29).
TO whom much is given much would be required or expected (Luke 12:48).
If you had been taught and trained, God is expecting much from you, in proportion to the knowledge that you have acquired—the knowledge imparted to you.
• You have no excuse! You are the one who determines the amount of what God entrusted to you.
In the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Their master gave them talents according to their abilities:
"AND to one he gave FIVE talents, to another TWO, and to another ONE, TO EACH ACCORDING TO HIS OWN ABILITY; And immediately he went on a journey" (Matthew 25:15 NKJV).
The man who was given one talent, did bury it. Their master intuitively knew if he was given more than that one talent, he would waste it—he would not put it to work. Because he would not appreciate the talent or the giftedness, which was given to him.
If you had been complaining, giving excuses, that you have only one talent. Know that, the one talent is enough to do something for God and His Kingdom on the Earth. Go and put that one talent to work!
If you can put that one talent to work, make maximum use of it, and produce results; more would be added or given to you (Matthew 13:12; 25:29). Thus, Go and make profit with that one talent, then more would be given to you (Matthew 25:20,21).
Those who traded with their talents and made profits were given more Responsibilities—to oversee more cities (Luke 19:16-19).
The person who did not trade with the only talent given to him, eventually lost it to the person who had much already (Matthew 25:28,29). And If you would not be replaced, you had to develop your ability, your skill in working for God.
MAY your talent, assignment, or work, not be given to another person in Jesus' name.
MAY your place not be given to another person in Jesus' name.
II. Fear of God
This talks about reverential fear of God. You want to honour God, Acknowledge Him, and respect Him. You fear Him because you love Him. It is not a tyrannical fear.
You do not fear God because He is wicked, but you fear Him because you love Him and would not want to offend Him, disrespect or dishonour Him.
You are willing to do whatever, anything, for God, because you love Him.
This fear of God could also mean integrity and being ethical. Someone who has the fear of God would be honest and upright in his or her character.
Such would know that If he or she did wrong, their relationship and fellowshipping with God would be negatively affected. Thus such would want to be honest with others.
Note:
a. A believer's spirit, and inward Man, should reach a state of constantly fearing God, which is also known as, Trembling.
b. This is a sign of brokenness and contrition: "BUT THIS IS THE ONE TO WHOM I WILL LOOK: HE WHO IS HUMBLE AND CONTRITE IN SPIRIT AND TREMBLES AT MY WORD" (Isaiah 66:2 NKJV).
c. The presumptuous and self-willed Heart must be completely broken, and allow the Word of God to be the guide.
HE or she must have this holy respect, having completely no trust in the self (2 Corinthians 3:5).
WHEN a believer's spirit ceases to tremble, It would have an independent or presumptuous intent. And God does not want us to be independently of Him.
Therefore, whoever is called to the work of ministry, to lead the people of God, and work in His vineyard, should be a person who has the fear of God (2 Timothy 2:19).
III. Truthfulness. Honest Men.
This point has partially been mentioned in the previous point—the point mentioned above.
However, for emphasis sake, you must be honest in all your dealings as a good representative of God and His Kingdom. - Be truthful and sincere in whatever you do. God mainly works with our hearts—the motives with which you do whatever you do.
Even if you ignorantly did wrong, God will have mercy on you, If you had a sincere and honest heart.
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Whatever is contrary to your health is rooted up in Jesus' name.
What God has not planted in your body, working against you, is rebuked and uprooted in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!