Faithfulness
by David Lazarus

Faithfulness comes from word Amen.

Let it be as it is. Straightforwardness. Yes be yes, no be no.

Faith: Doing what we say we believe.

Acting on the basis of what our hearts tell us is the right thing to do.

Being honest with what we believe

Hypocrisy is often mentioned sin, especially of religious people

Faith is the action you take because of what you have in your heart. Acting on your beliefs. Hebrews 11 "By faith they did this and that…"

Daniel example of faithfulness

Dan. 6:1-16

Daniel cast into the lion’s den not because he had done something wrong

Vs 1-3 Daniel appointed commissioner over the 120 governors so that the “King would not suffer loss” This was to oversee the finances to insure that nothing was stolen by the governors.

Vs 4 Daniel had “an extraordinary spirit”

Daniels faithfulness was because he had this extraordinary spirit.

It was deep down part of who he is as a person, not an act.

Having excellent spirit is key to faithfulness

Having his heart in the right place before God and man

· He was not jealous towards these other governors

Happy for them to be successful in job

· He was not threatened by them

Doesn't see them as trying to take away his position. Secure in the position that he has. Faithful to work at whatever job given, whether governor or janitor.

· He was not in competition with them.

Motive to work hard was not just that he could be advanced. He has an inner conviction about doing the right thing.

Daniel was already 80 years old. Though he was the longest in the kingdom he could have acted as a cruel and harsh overseer

Will my boss notice it? He sure will!

Vs 4 The King wants to promote Daniel over the others.

Your problems will usually come from the people you work with who are often jealous and lazy and bothered by you not being like them.

Here is Daniel with an excellent attitude and doing a great job and troubles come.

Faithfulness tested by adversity and prosperity מצרות והצלחות

Adversity Prov. 24:10

Nothing like trouble to show us what is really in our heart.

Prosperity Prov. 27:21

Faithfulness is tested when people praise you.

And when trust you. You are given responsibility for company car, finances

But Daniel was found faithful in both cases

Not talking about religious activities.

Talking about how he functioned on the job.

Faithful at work.

Can others count on us to get the job done?

Are we trustworthy with finances?

Can we be trusted to have a company car?

Do we come to work on time? Finish on time?

Vs 5-7 they understood that Daniel's faithfulness in his work was because of his faithfulness to God. This guy is so committed to God that the only way they could catch him is use his faithfulness against him.

Vs 10 Daniel's reaction

Psalm 55:18 (17 eng.) Morning, noon and evening prayer

His steadfastness in relationship to God was more important to him than anything else.

Faithfulness is:

An excellent attitude

Faithfulness at work

Consistency in walk with God

Vs 16-29

Faithful to God and to man vs 23

Saved because faithful vs 24

Witness and evangelism because faithful vs 25-29

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