Webster defines faithfulness as follows: firm in keeping promises or in fulfilling duties. Synonyms include: loyalty, dedication, commitment, devotion, dependability. Faithfulness is important, it is impactful. It is a Fruit of the Spirit that God desires to produce in each Christ-follower, but it can’t be accomplished through personal effort, positive thinking, or self-help books. Trying to do it on your own is like chewing a piece of Juicy Fruit gum. It’s really tasty at first, but the flavor soon wanes and you spit it out. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit working from the inside out to produce faithfulness. 

Most of us can recall the bad taste that unfaithfulness has left in our lives. Perhaps a broken relationship, backstabbing friend, betrayal, broken promises. We cannot tolerate unfaithfulness in others, yet we give ourselves a great amount of lattitude. How important is faithfulness to you?

God is faithful. There is never a time when he doesn’t keep His word, honor His commitment, love us, listen to us, and desire the best for us. Who would want to serve an unfaithful, undependable God?

Faithfulness affects every area of our lives. In relationships, faithfulness is the glue that holds things together. Faithfulness causes people to work through their problems and persevere in tough times. In marriage two people make a covenant with each other and with God. Faithfulness is vital to that union. In friendship, you want to be able to count on your friends. Can they count on you? Dependability is at the core of faithfulness. 

When it comes to your career, Scripture says to do your work as though you are working for the Lord. Showing up for work on time, every day, is faithfulness. Being dependable, doing a good job, being loyal to your employer, coworkers, or employees is faithfulness. Faithfulness builds trust. It expands your influence.

A relationship with God requires faithfulness, not just on His part (that’s a given), but He will test your faithfulness. (1) God tests your faithfulness with time. He’s given you an allotment of time and expects you to be a good steward. That involves spending time with Him, studying His word, praying, worshipping, being part of a faith community. (2) God tests your faithfulness in how you use your talents and abilities. He made an investment in you and expects to see a return on that investment through your stewardship of the gifts He’s given you. (3) God also tests your faithfulness by how you manage your treasures, your money. All that you have has been given to you by God and you are a steward of what he owns. Paying your bills on time is a faith test. Tithing is a faith test. God expects you to be faithful with your worldly wealth. When you cooperate with God, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of faithfulness in your life and it will bless those around you, the church, and, most of all, you will be blessed by your faithfulness.

Scriptures – Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB); John 15:8 (CEB); Proverbs 20:6 (NET); Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV); Proverbs 12:22 (NRSVUE); Colossians 3:23 (NLT); Ephesians 5:15-17 (CEV); Luke 12:48 (CEV); Luke 16:11 (NLT); Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Verses – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,

and self-control. (Ga 5:22-23) Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person—who can find? (Pr 20:6) Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (La 3:22-23) 

Questions – Do you have someone you can always depend on? Where do rate yourself on faithfulness? (from 1 to 10 with 1 being low and 10 being awesome) Are you most faithful to your relationships, work, or God? How has God been faithful to you? Are you a good steward of your time, talents, and money? Which area needs the most work? Explain.

Prayer – (from Great is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas Chisholm) Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God our Father. There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not Thy compassions, they fail not. As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. Great is Thy Faithfulness. Great is Thy Faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me! Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, I pray.