Scripture teaches that faith responds with action. James 2:26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. [1] We know that salvation is entirely a gift from God, as is the faith necessary to believe in Jesus as Savior. Perhaps it is helpful to remember: Faith is the beginning of obedience, and obedience is the completion of faith.
God did not mean faith to remain merely an inward conviction; it finds its fullest expression as we trust Him enough to walk in His ways. This aligns with Scripture. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. [2] Essentially, the Spirit’s work in bringing us to faith naturally leads us to respond with gratitude and to share God’s love, making good works a natural consequence of faith.
Jesus exemplified this perfectly. He didn’t merely speak about God’s love; He showed it through healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and caring for the marginalized. True faith is active and transformative, benefiting both the one who acts and the one who receives.
Our Actions Reveal Our Heart
In the parable of the three servants, Jesus offers insight into the first two servants and how they respond to what they have been entrusted with while their master is away. Matthew 25:16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.[3]
While it would have been easy to do nothing with the resources given to them, they did not. It takes work to invest. Many of the resources the Lord gives us are not always monetary but relational. Relationships take time and are like a long-term investment. As we invest in others, it not only changes them but also us. A heart that invests in others is the antidote to selfishness. The world tells us to invest in ourselves, but as we do so, our hearts become less receptive to God’s guidance.
Invest in What Lasts
Jesus explains about treasure. Matthew 6:20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. [4] As we store our treasure in heaven, it not only reveals our heart but also prompts our faith to respond in action.
God has blessed you with different gifts and skills. Each of these is unique for your use in God’s kingdom. Seeking the Lord is a blessing, as He shows that worldly things fade, but investing in His will guarantees lasting value.
When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He made the ultimate investment in us, giving everything to pay for our redemption. If you have placed your faith in Him, it is because of His great love and sacrifice that you have the hope of living with Him forever in heaven. That is truly an investment that will last! To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faithfulness-with-what-is-entrusted
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.