What is the reward for faithfulness? Is faithfulness important to the Lord? Yes, it is! Jesus says: Revelation 2:10“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”[1] Jesus also tells us: Matthew 24:45“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.”[2]
How has being faithful made a difference in your life? Is the Lord calling you to grow in faithfulness because He has greater plans for you?
Be Faithful in Little
Just because something doesn’t fit your agenda does not mean it’s not from God. It’s foolish and dangerous to think that a small assignment is not from the Lord. God must develop your character first to match the assignment. Our flesh doesn’t want to wait. We want it to be easy and we want the greater task now, but don’t neglect the mighty work that He has to do.
Moses worked as a shepherd for 40 years. Why was he a shepherd for so long? He worked at what many would consider a menial job because through that, God would prepare him for a huge task. Moses would lead the nation of Israel to the Promised Land.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.[3]
Mary Magdalene had been a faithful follower of Jesus after she had a personal encounter with Him where she experienced deliverance. Like Moses she went through a time in her life of preparation. After her deliverance she was a simple follower and servant of Jesus. Mark 16:9 After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.[4]
Then You can be Faithful in Big Things
Mary Magdalene was one of a group of faithful women who stood as near the cross as Jesus died. They did what they could to comfort Jesus by their presence in the closing agonies of the crucifixion.[5] Mary listened with a broken heart to His bitter cries and watched through those dread hours until at last the Roman soldier thrust his spear into the Savior’s side and declared Him dead. Mary was the last at the cross and the first to the tomb on Resurrection Sunday. She was faithful.
There is a reward for faithfulness. The Lord rewarded Mary’s faithfulness by greeting her at the tomb. It was she who would give the other disciples the message that Jesus lived. Mary would be known through the generations for this act. This was a wonderful gift the Lord reserved for her as a reward for her faithfulness.
There will come a day when you, also, will be rewarded for your faith in Jesus as your Savior. Faithfulness is part of being a believer. Someday you will breathe your last breath on earth and will find yourself in heaven. Wow!
Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:21, “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” [6]
To hear more about the encounter Mary had with the resurrected Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-mary
[1] The New King James Version. (1982). (Re 2:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[2-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.