Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

True Value Of A Believer

I Corinthians 4:2, 15, 16, 17  NKJV

² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

¹⁶ Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

¹⁷ For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

pistos, πιστός  Trustworthy, reliable, sure, true, unfailing

In verse 2 it is plain Paul has a special category in mind, “stewards”.  These are primarily apostles and secondarily all ministers.  The stewardship is the responsibility of the “word of God” and the true reporting of it.  Nothing is to be done with this word but that which a servant faithful in obedience, does for his master.

As we fast forward to vs 15, we find Paul making a very general application.  All who fall under the category of believing, Paul says are to be imitators of him in every way they can within their calling.

This is illustrated in vs 17 by Timothy being a “faithful child” or one who has followed Paul’s example within his calling.  Paul has been able to trust and rely upon Timothy to do all those things he had instructed him to do.  Timothy fulfilled his stewardship.

Having been in the Christian ministry for 45 years, I can say that what is most desirable in a church member is that they are consistently faithful.  Gifts, talent, intellectual ability, wealth, and any other measure used will not approach the worth of simple faithfulness.

This faithfulness is found in three areas of life:

1.  Attendance:  They can be depended upon to be present when the church meets.  They do not need a special place on the program; there does not have to be a special event or a special personality.  They very regularly and faithfully come.  They are not discouraged by the normal providential hindrances.  If they are not present, a Pastor knows to contact them.  Something is wrong to keep them away.  Above all else they come.
2. Service:  They do what they can.  Some I have known have huge amounts of talent.  Others stretched the imagination to find the one talent.  But the faithful person served or waited according to leadership requirements.  They were not easily offended.  The most talented were willing to do the least visible tasks while the least talented were willing to try to do anything they were asked if at all possible.  They were not prima donnas.  They were first of all faithful.
3. Giving:  A church is supported by the tithes and gifts of its members.  No church should ever need more than this.  When every member is a faithful giver the church prospers.  The member may earn $1000 per month or $50,000, the church only needs the tithes and gifts the members can give.  Every faithful member I have ever known, I believe to be a tither.  I cannot guarantee this, but as I recall this appears to be true.  If they do not tithe their faithfulness in this needs attention and encouragement for their spiritual improvement and economic well-being.

There have been great geniuses in the world who have done amazing things.  But overall the civilization as we have it has not been built by geniuses.  Ordinary people are the real builders.

The church has some truly amazing talent and greatly gifted believers but overall the church is built by ordinary faithful church members who do what they can.

Matthew 25:21

²¹ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’