Faithfulness
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
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LOVE
“IT IS THE POWER TO MOVE US TOWARD ANOTHER PERSON WITH NO EXPECTATION OF REWARD”
JOY
JOY IS THE QUIET CONFIDENT ASSURANCE OF GODS LOVE AND WORK IN OUR LIVES. - THAT HE WILL BE THERE NO MATTER WHAT.
PEACE
PEACE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF STRESS BUT THE PRESENCE OF THE SAVIOUR
PATIENCE
THE PATIENCE THAT WE SEE IN GALATIANS IS REFERRING TO PATIENCE WITH PEOPLE. ESPECIALLY WHAT THEY WILL DO THAT WILL BOTHER US OR OFFEND US
KINDNESS/COMPASSION
KINDNESS IS AN ACTION
GOODNESS
Goodness is righteousness in action. Goodness boldly does what’s right, and encourages others to do good as well.
SPIRITUAL FRUIT IS WHAT RESULTS IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE ROOT OURSELVES IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
FAITHFULNESS
FAITHFULNESS
A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm.
They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened.
A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.
The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property.
They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements.
The tractor had been moved into the garage.
The barn was properly locked.
Even the animals were calm. All was well.
The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, “I can sleep when the wind blows.”
Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke.
So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.
TO BE FAITHFUL MEANS
Concise Oxford English Dictionary Faithful
remaining loyal and steadfast.
Concise Oxford English Dictionary Faithful
true to the facts or the original
LOYAL - CONSTANT SUPPORT
DUTIFULLY FIRM AND UNWAVERING
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
DEUT 7:9
7:9
LET US TAKE A LOOK AT ONE OF THOSE COVENANTS
JOSH 24:
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
JOSHUA CHAPTER 24 - IS ABOUT THE COVENANT RENEWAL AT SHECHEM
JOSHUA GATHERED THE TRIBES OF ISREAL AND HE REMINDED THEM FIRSTLY OF WHAT GOD HAD DONE FOR THEM, STATING WITH ABRAHAM.
GOD MADE ABRAHAMS OFFSPRING MANY
GAVE ESAU THE HILL COUNTRY OF SIER
JACOB AND HIS CHILDREN WENT TO EGYPT
GOD PLAGUED EGYPT AND THEN BROUGHT THEM OUT OF EGYPT
THE EGYPTIANS PERISHED AT THE HAND OF GOD, HE PUT DARKNESS BETWEEN THEM AND THE ISRAELITES AND CLOSED THE SEA ON THEM.
HE BROUGHT THEM INTO CANAAN AND DELIVERED THE ENEMIES INTO THEIR HANDS
GOD DROVE THE ENEMIES OUT BEFORE THEM.
GOD GAVE THE ISRAELITES THE LAND
GOD GAVE THEM CITIES THEY NEVER NEEDED TO BUILD
HE GAVE THEM READY TO USE FARMS AND VINEYARDS AND OLIVE GROVES
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
JOSHUA WARNED THE PEOPLE GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD - MEANING THAT HE WANTS THAT EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH US. NO SHARING
SO NOW WE KNOW GOD IS FAITHFUL TO US.
HOW DO WE DO ON OUR FAITHFULNESS TO GOD?
CAN WE BE FAITHFUL IN TEMPTATION?
I WANT US TO LOOK AT THE LIFE OF JOSEPH AND HOW FAITHFUL HE WAS TO GOD.
HE TENDED THE SHEEP OF HIS FATHER
HE FOLLOWED HIS FATHERS INSTRUCTIONS
WHEN HE WAS SOLD INTO SLAVERY HE PROVED FAITHFUL TO HIS NEW OWNERS
HE ROSE IN RANK BECAUSE OF IT
He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
POTIPHER’S WIFE WAS A BEAUTIFUL WOMEN
HE WAS THE HIGHEST RANK IN HIS MASTERS HOUSE
HE WAS GOOD LOOKING
HE COULD EASILY HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF HER
PRIDE
SEXUAL SIN
Temptation is never from God -
2. Temptation is always from within -
3. There is always a way out of Temptation (How?)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
a. Deal with it Immediately – Nip it in the bud!
b. Deal with it Realistically - Get away from it at all costs.
c. Deal with it Ruthlessly – Do whatever it takes to avoid it.
d. Deal with it Consistently - Learn to be consistent in your resistance.
e. Deal with it Confidently
2. CAN WE BE FAITHFUL WHEN LIFE IS NOT FAIR?
HE
HE IS FAITHFUL TO HIS CAPTORS. SO MUCH SO THAT THE PRISON GUARD PUTS HIM IN CHARGE. AGAIN WE SEE THAT THOSE IN CHARGE FOUND NO FAULT IN HIM EVEN IN HIS ADVERSE CONDITIONS.
The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes for a moment.
You have been a faithful servant to your master.
You have successfully avoided committing adultery with his wife even though she has practically thrown herself at you every day.
You have been falsely accused. What do you do?
Most of us would have launched a loud and long defense. We would have declared our innocence and we would have vowed to take our revenge when the opportunity presented itself.
Not Joseph! In fact, there is no record of him even opening his mouth. In this respect, Joseph is once again just like Jesus, . He took the trial that came his way and he endured it with grace and faithfulness.
C. I am not saying that we should never defend our name and reputation when it is slandered. What I am talking about is the fact that trials are going to come along in this life. There will be times when you will be attacked, misunderstood and misrepresented. When those times come, remember that God knows the truth, and, eventually, that truth will come out!
I am not saying that we should never defend our name and reputation when it is slandered. What I am talking about is the fact that trials are going to come along in this life. There will be times when you will be attacked, misunderstood and misrepresented. When those times come, remember that God knows the truth, and, eventually, that truth will come out!
What I am saying is that you and I must learn to be faithful even during the trials of life. When everything goes against us and the full weight of life comes crashing down on top of us, we must ever remain faithful to the Lord Who loved us, bought us and saved us.
In other words, don’t get mad at someone and try to quit.
Don’t let the hardships and valleys of life throw you off course.
Don’t get upset when things do not go your way all the time. When people lie about you and talk about you, do not proven them right. Prove them wrong by remaining faithful to the Lord! Nothing silences the tongue of a critic any quicker than a faithful life.
Just live so well that no will believe what the lying liars say about you anyway!
D. Trust God and stay the course, He is looking for faithful servants,
and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
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He is looking for people who will be the same regardless of which way the wind is blowing. I don’t know about you, but I want to be found faithful! He’s been faithful to me and I want to be faithful to Him!
WAS IT FAIR THAT JOSEPH SAT IN PRISON FOR REFUSING TO BE DRAWN INTO SEXUAL IMMORALITY WITH POTIPHER’S WIFE? WAS IT EVEN FAIR THAT HE WAS IN THIS VERY PREDICAMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE? THROUGH JEALOUSY HIS BROTHERS PLOTTED TO KILL HIM.
3. CAN WE BE FAITHFUL WHEN TRAGEDY HITS?
You see, Joseph was faithful to the Lord regardless of where he was; and regardless of where he was, the Lord was faithful to Joseph.
God blessed Joseph and he used him in his prison because Joseph remained faithful.
I have seen people in the valley OF depression be used of the Lord. I have seen people held in the grip of terminal illness be used of the Lord.
I have seen people who didn’t have a dime to their name and still God used them.
If you will be faithful where He puts you, He will use you there for His glory!
The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
If you and I will stand by the Lord and be the people he saved us to be, we can count on Him using us as well.
I have seen people in the valley of depression be used of the Lord. I have seen people held in the grip of terminal illness be used of the Lord.
I have seen people who didn’t have a dime to their name and still God used them.
SLIDE
If you will be faithful where He puts you, He will use you there for His glory!
If the Lord were to look at your life today, would He be able to say “They have done what they could”? Could He declare us to be faithful servants unto Him? Are you as faithful to the Lord as you could be? Or is there room for improvement?
They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.
Joseph was faithful. Jesus is faithful. I want to be found faithful too.
Synopsis
Loyalty and commitment within human relationships is important in the life of God’s people. It is seen particularly in fidelity within marriage, fulfilling family obligations, honouring vows, dutiful service and trustworthy speech and conduct.
Faithfulness within society
It is important in the life of God’s people
The word translated “love” is the Hebrew word “hesed”, which here expresses the loyalty and faithfulness that should characterise the life of God’s people.
(ESV) — 6 “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”
See also ;
(ESV) — 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
(ESV) — 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
It is a reflection of God’s faithfulness to his people
It is a reflection of God’s faithfulness to his people
(ESV) — 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
See also ;
(ESV) — 4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
(ESV) — 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Faithfulness in marriage
(ESV) — 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
See also ; ; ; ; ;
(ESV) — 11 Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.
(ESV) — 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.
(ESV) — 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
(ESV) — 14 “You shall not commit adultery.
(ESV) — 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
(ESV) — 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
Faithfulness in family relationships
See also fulfilling family obligations in marriage arrangements; fulfilling family obligations regarding burial
How about you?
(ESV) — 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.” 50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.”
(ESV) — 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years. 29 And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” 31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.
Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi:
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(ESV) — 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.
(ESV) — 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
Hannah visits Samuel regularly.
(ESV) — 19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
The wife of noble character provides for her family:
(ESV) — 15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
(ESV) — 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
(ESV) — 27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Jesus Christ provides for his mother.
(ESV) — 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Faithfulness to vows and covenants
(ESV) — 2 If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
Jacob and Laban:
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(ESV) — 18 Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
(ESV) — 30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.
The sons of Israel and Joseph:
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(ESV) — 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”
(ESV) — 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.”
If He has spoken to you on any level, you need to be faithful to Him and come if His is calling.
touch them. 20 This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them.”
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(ESV) — 14 And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”
(ESV) — 25 But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Joshua and the Gibeonites
(ESV) — 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. 16 At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them. 17 And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders. 19 But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them.”
David and Jonathan:
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(ESV) — 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.
(ESV) — 8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?”
(ESV) — 42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’ ” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.
(ESV) — 16 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.
Ben-Hadad and Ahab
(ESV) — 34 And Ben-hadad said to him, “The cities that my father took from your father I will restore, and you may establish bazaars for yourself in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” And Ahab said, “I will let you go on these terms.” So he made a covenant with him and let him go.
Faithfulness in speech
In carrying messages
(ESV) — 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
See also
(ESV) — 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
In telling the truth
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(ESV) — 17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
(ESV) — 5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
In bringing God’s word
(ESV) — 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.
See also ; ;
(ESV) — 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
(ESV) — 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
(ESV) — 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Faithfulness in conduct
In serving others
(ESV) — 5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,
See also ; ;
(ESV) — 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
(ESV) — 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
(ESV) — 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
In intercession
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(ESV) — 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.
(ESV) — 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
(ESV) — 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
In giving
(ESV) — 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.
See also ;
(ESV) — 5 As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. 6 And the people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things that had been dedicated to the Lord their God, and laid them in heaps. 7 In the third month they began to pile up the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 8 When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and his people Israel. 9 And Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps. 10 Azariah the chief priest, who was of the house of Zadok, answered him, “Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left, for the Lord has blessed his people, so that we have this large amount left.”
(ESV) — 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
In handling money
(ESV) — 13 But there were not made for the house of the Lord basins of silver, snuffers, bowls, trumpets, or any vessels of gold, or of silver, from the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, 14 for that was given to the workmen who were repairing the house of the Lord with it. 15 And they did not ask for an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to pay out to the workmen, for they dealt honestly.
See also ; ; ; ;
(ESV) — 7 But no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly.”
(ESV) — 12 And they faithfully brought in the contributions, the tithes, and the dedicated things. The chief officer in charge of them was Conaniah the Levite, with Shimei his brother as second, 13 while Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers assisting Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the chief officer of the house of God. 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the east gate, was over the freewill offerings to God, to apportion the contribution reserved for the Lord and the most holy offerings. 15 Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah were faithfully assisting him in the cities of the priests, to distribute the portions to their brothers, old and young alike, by divisions,
(ESV) — 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
(ESV) — 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) — 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
(ESV) — 6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?
See also ; ;
(ESV) — 1 Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. 2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
(ESV) — 1 The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;
(ESV) — 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?