It’s 9:00 AM. I’m not dressed; instead I’m still walking around in my pajamas. I haven’t eaten breakfast or made my bed. My current Bible study book lays unopened on the table. I haven’t written a single word. I guess to some this wouldn’t be that bad. Plenty of people don’t get up and moving until 9 or even later. The problem is I’ve been making a concerted to effort to stay up after Garner’s 6:00 AM feeding and do all the things I just listed. I guess I failed at faithfulness today.
Someone who never failed at faithfulness was Daniel. In Dan 6:10 it says, “But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” He was so faithful, it’s mentioned twice in one verse—“as usual” and “as he had always done.” He was so regular with his prayer even Daniel’s enemies knew when and where he would be praying.
Many Christians are faithful in the big things. They never miss church on Sunday. They may faithfully attend mid-week service, and work Vacation Bible School every year. However, we often fail to be faithful in the small things.
Studying faithfully—Acts 2:42 says, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” Can you honestly say you devote yourself to study? There are times in my life when my study is sporadic at best and then I only do it because I feel guilty.
Praying faithfully—I Thess. 5:17 says, “Never stop praying.” I’m pretty sure some people never start praying. I find it’s easier if I pause what I’m doing and pray the moment something comes to my mind. If someone asks for prayer, I take it to the Lord that instant. Otherwise, I’ll forget to do it. I can’t say I never stop praying, but I do try to keep my mind toward the Lord throughout my day.
Giving faithfully—This one is a tough. Most people don’t want to talk about giving to the church. Others outright complain about what they have to give. “They just want my money,” they say. Truth is we expect weekly preaching; we expect the pastor to be available when we want him; we expect the bathroom to be clean on Sunday morning. We daily benefit from the pastoral staff and even the church building itself, but we want all of that to be free. Pastors require salaries and buildings require upkeep. Can you imagine what it would be like to have to beg your boss for your paycheck? Pastors have to beg from the pulpit for theirs. I Cor. 9:14 says, “In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.” You might be thinking that your little offering may not matter, but remember that God isn’t interested in the amount. He’s interested in the faithful heart.
Daniel was faithful in the little things and his life was blessed because of it. Likewise your spiritual growth is dependant on your faithfulness to the little things. As my pastor points out, you’ll die of malnutrition if you only eat once or twice a week. You’ll be spiritually malnourished if you only study, pray, and give when the mood strikes you. Examine your weekly schedule. Where can you make room to be more like Daniel?
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