Ready:
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’” – Matthew 25:21
Set:
Faithfulness isn’t always valued in sports culture today. If you’re an athlete or coach who desires to live for Jesus, however, faithfulness is an important indicator of spiritual maturity. Faithfulness is part of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and it honors Christ.
Faithfulness is steadfast reliability motivated by unwavering commitment to a person or promise. Jesus illustrates this quality in Matthew 25:14-30. He tells a parable of a man who entrusts his three servants with portions of his wealth and then leaves on a journey. He gives the first servant five talents (a talent is a large sum of money), the second servant two talents, and the third servant one talent. The first and second servants used the money they were given to earn more. But the third servant did nothing with what he’d been given.
When the man returned from his journey and learned what the first and second servants did with what was entrusted to them, his response to each was the same: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.” The man’s response to the third servant who did nothing stands in sharp contrast (v. 26): “You evil, lazy servant!”
Jesus’ point is clear: whatever situation we’re in—whether it seems like a “five talents” or “two talents” or even a “one talent” situation—we can choose faithfulness. Whatever level you’re competing or coaching at, with whatever opportunities or resources you have, you can choose faithfulness that honors Christ and is rewarded by him.
Faithfulness happens through daily allegiance to Jesus rather than giving devotion to the idols around us—such as the world’s definition of success or the desire to promote ourselves. Be steadfastly reliable in living out the ways of Christ with what He’s entrusted to you. Faithfully live according to the values and priorities of Jesus in the sphere of influence He’s given you. With your teammates or players, let your character and values faithfully point them to Jesus and His love for them. As you do this day by day, week by week, and year by year, the Lord will say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Go:
What challenges or temptations are you facing that can undermine your faithfulness to Christ?
What does it look like to faithfully honor the Lord in your setting as an athlete or coach?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord, I praise You because You are faithful. You always act according to Your character and always keep Your promises. Through Your Spirit’s enabling, I pray that I would choose faithfulness to You in all things. Amen.”