Prove Faithful
READ
What if I told you that there's only one thing God requires of you? Just one non-negotiable expectation? You might expect it to be something extraordinary—perfect church attendance, becoming a missionary in a foreign country, or never doubting your faith. But according to Paul's letter to the Corinthians, God's single requirement is beautifully simple: faithfulness.
Let’s take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 4:1-2:
"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust prove faithful."
REFLECT
Paul writes from experience. As an apostle, he faced criticism from all sides. Some people thought he was too bold; others thought he wasn't bold enough. Some questioned his credentials; others questioned his methods. In the midst of all this human judgment, Paul found freedom in a simple truth: his job wasn't to impress people or even to be successful by human standards. His job was to be faithful to what God had entrusted to him.
The word "required" here is significant. In Greek, it's zeteitai, which means "it is sought for" or "it is demanded." This isn't a suggestion or a nice-to-have quality. Faithfulness is the fundamental job description for anyone who claims to follow Christ. It's what God looks for, what He expects, and what He values above all else.
Notice how Paul describes himself and his fellow apostles: "servants of Christ and those entrusted with the mysteries of God." This dual identity shapes everything about how he understood faithfulness. As servants, they existed to fulfill their master's will, not their own agenda. As stewards of God's mysteries, they had been given something infinitely precious to guard and share.
The "mysteries of God" aren't mystical secrets available only to a spiritual elite. In Paul's context, this refers to the gospel—the good news that God has reconciled the world to Himself through Christ. Every Christian has been entrusted with this same mystery. We're all stewards of the gospel, whether we serve as pastors, teachers, parents, neighbors, or friends. We all have opportunities to faithfully share and live out what God has revealed to us.
But here's what makes this passage both challenging and liberating: Paul says faithfulness is what's "required," not success. God doesn't demand that we convert everyone we meet, that our prayers always result in miracles, or that our lives look perfect to others. He requires that we be faithful with what He's given us, where He's placed us, with the people He's put in our lives.
This takes the pressure off while simultaneously raising the stakes. We don't have to worry about controlling outcomes, but we can't excuse ourselves from faithful effort. We don't have to be the most gifted person in the room, but we do need to faithfully use whatever gifts we have. We don't need to be perfect, but we do need to be trustworthy.
Paul's confidence came from knowing that ultimately, God would be his judge, not the fickle opinions of people. In verses 3-4, he says he doesn't even judge himself, because his conscience is clear before God. This isn't arrogance; it's the freedom that comes from focusing on faithfulness rather than approval.
This perspective transforms how we approach everything from parenting to work to ministry. Instead of asking, "How can I be successful?" we ask, "How can I be faithful?" Instead of worrying about whether people appreciate our efforts, we focus on whether we're trustworthy with what God has given us. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we concentrate on faithfully steward our unique calling and gifts.
The beautiful thing about faithfulness is that it's accessible to everyone. You don't need special training, exceptional talent, or perfect circumstances. You just need to be trustworthy with what's in front of you today. Whether you're caring for children, working at a job, serving in ministry, or simply living as a neighbor and friend, you can be faithful.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
In what ways are you tempted to measure your worth by success rather than faithfulness, and how might this be affecting your relationship with God?
How would your daily decisions change if you truly believed that faithfulness, not perfection or success, is what God requires of you?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Lord Jesus, thank You for entrusting me with the precious mystery of Your gospel and love. Help me find freedom in knowing that You require faithfulness, not perfection, from me. Free me from the pressure to impress others or achieve worldly success, and help me focus on being trustworthy with what You've placed in my hands today. Make me a faithful steward of Your grace in my words, actions, and relationships. Amen.