August 18, 2025
Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much – Part 1
Luke 16:10
08/18/2025
10
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (ESV)
During this portion of the Church Year, the congregations which still use the historic Gospel readings are studying the righteousness of faith. We are asking the question, ‘‘How does being saved by grace through faith for the sake of Jesus Christ affect our lives?’’ As we ponder this question, we must remember that we are redeemed from sin, death, and the power of the devil by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good works certainly follow our salvation, but are absolutely not the cause of our salvation.
Our good works are the way that we show the faith in our hearts. Because none of us can actually see what is hidden inside another, the only way we can come to the conclusion that a person is a Christian is if they act like a Christian. As we heard Jesus say last week, ‘‘By their fruits you shall know them.’’[1]
This week our Gospel lesson speaks of stewardship, our care for the things God entrusts to each person. The way we use temporal things is a clear indication of our view of spiritual things. Jesus told His disciples, ‘‘One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.’’
Let us be very clear on this one point. Many times the word ‘‘stewardship’’ is used by a congregation to talk of raising funds to meet the budget. We will not be using the term in that way, but in our approach to everything God has entrusted to us.
May our Lord grant us wisdom to recognize Him as the source of all things, that we are caretakers of His creation. Amen.