When God created the earth His blessed Adam and Eve saying: “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over … every living thing that moveth upon the earth”. (Genesis 1:27-28; 9:1). This earthly blessing or promise entails two important traits of trustworthiness: one is faithfulness in keeping whatever God bestows upon us; and second is to be fruitful and productive in our dealings with the earth, but also to replenish it.
The promise confers upon men and women the dominion over all the works of God that pertains to the earth (Psalm 115:16; Psalm 8:6). However, we should note that residual power over all creation remains with God the creator; “for the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwelleth therein”. (Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 45:18 & 48:13). In other words mankind obtains dominion over the earth as trustees of God, but God ultimately has dominion over mankind and all life (Psalm 66:7; 97:1-6).
3.1. FAITHFULNESS
Our faithfulness begins God’s test of trustworthiness when we recognise God as the Almighty creator and his son Jesus Christ our redeemer; and to humbly seek Him for guidance to direct the desires of our hearts and our plans on the earth (Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10; Ephesians 1:3; 2: 17-18). It is in recognition of God’s dominion over us, and his infinite wisdom in all things including the sacrificial grace afforded by Christ Jesus, that believers are to ask Him so that we may receive according to his will and purposes for our lives. (Matthew 7:7-8; Mark 11:24; John 14:13-14; Psalm 37:4).
Faithfulness towards developing trustworthiness requires one to demonstrate diligence in our actions and duties while also considering the needs of others. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much”.(Luke 16:10). Jesus illustrates faithfulness involving diligence and conscientiousness in the parable of the talents.
There, a man delivered his goods to three of his own servants and went into a far country. “Unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability”. While the master was away, the servant who received the five talents traded with it and gained five talents more and the servant who received two talents gained two talents more respectively. (Matthew 25:14-18).
The master was pleased that the servants took the initiative to invest his money and said to them: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord”.( Matthew 25:19-23). Both servants exercised diligence and proved trustworthy. They were therefore elevated to rule also over “many things”.
3.2. PRODUCTIVENESS
Productiveness is required in assessing one’s trustworthiness pursuant to the ‘earthly blessing’ upon mankind to be fruitful. This trait was also illustrated in the parable of tenant. The third servant whom the master had given one talent, made no effort to invest it. He instead dug in the earth, and hid the money and was unproductive. When the master required his account, he accused the master of being a “hard man, reaping where [he has] not sown, and gathering where [he has] not strawed”. (Matthew 25:24-25).
Brethren, this servant clearly was unproductive and therefore untrustworthy. The master called him, “wicked and slothful servant” for failing to use his initiative positively to put the money with the exchangers where it would have yielded interest. (Matthew 25:26-27). He was deemed “wicked” because he sought to excuse his laziness by blaming the master who was kind to give him the opportunity to be fruitful.
The master therefore ordered that the one talent be taken from the unprofitable servant and given to the servant who had yielded ten talents. “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath”. (Matthew 25:28-29).
Brethren, God knows our capabilities. He will only afford us the things we could manage. Note that He knew the disposition of the unprofitable servant therefore he was allocated only one talent while the other servant was given five talents. (Matthew 25:14-18). We should therefore avoid laziness and excuses and endeavour to apply ourselves at every opportunity to be productive so that we may gain the trust of God to commit us over many things.
3.3. GROWTH AND MATURITY
Also, for God to grant our desires or bring us into his promises, He would require us to demonstrate growth and maturity in His ways. (Psalm 18:30; Deuteronomy 5:32). One under tutelage for growth and maturity, is like an “heir”, who “as long as he is a child, [is no different] from a servant, though he be [owner] of [everything]; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father”. (Galatians 4:1-3).
In other words as long as believers lack growth and maturity in the ways of God, and indulge in worldly ways of doing things, they are like children and God may not trust them to inherit greater things until the pass the test of maturation. An example of a test of maturation and growth would be where God may chose to place someone in a lesser role, or in charge of another person’s business, although he may have a qualification that entitles him to a higher role or to own his own business. Also God may place one in charge of monies or goods to test for honesty.
God will observe the persons in such situations as they acquire wisdom and experience under his guidance towards growth and maturation, and develop a trustworthy character (Psalm 26:1-7); and invariably God will elevate them. Note that these tests may manifest in other forms of trials, which one would need to overcome.
3.4. FAITH, PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE
The test for trustworthiness through trials is also a test of faith, patience, and perseverance that polishes maturity. Therefore when one encounters various trails or setbacks in the pursuit of one’s desires, “count it all joy … knowing this, that the trying of your faith [produces] patience”; and that “patience, [produces] experience; and experience hope”. And when patience is developed, “ye may be perfect and entire, [lusting after] nothing”(James 1:1-4; Romans 5:3-4).
Brethren as you work to grow faith and patience be encouraged that “the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, [will] make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” after your hearts desires in Jesus name. (1 Peter 5:10).
