Be Found Faithful

Alba 3-30-2025

BE FOUND FAITHFUL

I Corinthians 4:1-5

There is a story of a choir director who was so stressed out because at least one or more members of the choir were absent at every rehearsal for a concert. Finally came the last rehearsal and he announced: “I want to personally thank the pianist for being the only person in this entire church choir to attend each and every rehearsal during the past two months.” At this, the pianist rose, bowed, and said, “It was the least I could do, considering I won’t be able to be at the concert tonight.”

Our text for today in First Corinthians chapter four tells us that faithfulness is required in our service to the Lord. God is faithful, and He expects His people to be faithful. Someone has said, “True faith shows up in faithfulness. Not everyone can sing or preach, but all can be faithful.” Another observed, “The world crowns success; God crowns faithfulness.” The world may measure success by profit, by how much you earn. Or by prosperity, by what you own. Or by prestige, by how high are you in the corporate ladder. But God measures success by faithfulness. So are you successful today? We should all ask ourselves, “How faithful are we to God?”

When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church in Corinth, he was trying to correct problems in the church. One of the problems was the division caused by the way they preferred one minister or apostle over another.

Paul tells them that no matter which leader they preferred, each one had the same goal and the same responsibility. And no matter who they were, the main requirement for each of them was that they be found faithful. So he writes the following in First Corinthians 4:1-5:

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (NKJV)

The Contemporary English Version has those same verses this way: “Think of us as servants of Christ who have been given the work of explaining God's mysterious ways. And since our first duty is to be faithful to the one we work for, it doesn't matter to me if I am judged by you or even by a court of law. In fact, I don't judge myself. I don't know of anything against me, but this doesn't prove I am right. The Lord is my judge. So don't judge anyone until the Lord returns. He will show what is hidden in the dark and what is in everyone's heart. Then God will be the one who praises each of us.”

Notice the two words in verse one that are used to describe the apostle Paul and the others: Servant and Steward. Those are two words that we can, and should, apply to ourselves in our relationship with Jesus. So we, like them, should be found faithful. Because...

1. We Also Are Servants of Christ

So what is a servant? In the New Testament, the word servant is used to describe someone who serves or assists another, often in a subordinate role. The original Greek word has been translated as servant, attendant, minister, or officer. The term emphasizes the role of service and support, often in a context of obedience and duty.

In the original Greek this word “servant” translated literally is “under-rowers.” The picture is that of a ship propelled by oars describing the slaves who rowed the huge Roman galleys, who worked under the command of a captain. This imagery of rowing under authority highlights the concept of service and submission to a higher command.

Two things must be said about under-rowers. First, they work the oars in the belly of the ship. They do not know where the ship is going. They simply obey the direction of the Captain. Secondly, under-rowers must work in harmony. If they do not work together, their efforts will be wasted. To say the least, the ship will not move as it should. The worst scenario is that it will go in circles. And it will not reach its destination that way.

So how does that apply to us? Jesus taught His disciples in Mark 9:35, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” The church is the ship; Jesus commands; and we who are Christians, are the under-rowers, who receive our orders from our Lord Jesus Christ. We are His servants and need to obey Him. The first duty of a servant is to be faithful.