The Trust Test (faithfulness)

Fulfilled (The Fruit of the Spirit), part 8 of 10
Faithfulness means we are trusted and reliable. Faithful people are fruitful people in life. We’ll provide secrets to faithfulness to all the key relationships in our lives and some of the ways we can test our faithfulness and trustworthiness. Pastor Vince DiPaola

Download the notes.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…*faithfulness*…” (Galatians 5:22g)

“Faithfulness”: Being trustworthy in all my dealings

with God and with other people so they can count on me.

” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

Three Important Trust Tests With God

Test #1) Can god trust me with my time?

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.” (Psalm 31:14–15a)

The Routine: A daily quite time with God.

The Reason: direction for living.

” The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16, LB)

The Result: spiritual strength

Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Test #2. Can god trust me with my treasure?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and… thieves… steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…*For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also*…You cannot serve [trust] both God and money.” (Matthew 6:19–21,24b)

The Routine: A weekly tithe for God.

“On the first day of every week, set aside some of what you have earned and give it as an offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn.”
(1 Corinthians 16:2, LB)

*The Reason: Priorities for living.

“The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your life.”
(Deuteronomy 14:23, LB)

*The result: financial stability!

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10)

Test #3. Can god trust me with my talents?

“[Through faith] we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance that we should do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

The Routine: A fulfilling mission with God.

The Reason: confidence for living beyond myself.

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to… [Let us use it].” (Romans 12:6, LB)

The Result: unbelievable reward!

Jesus: “Let me assure you that no one has ever given up anything—home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or property—for love of me and to tell others the Good News, who won’t be given back, a hundred times over…” (Mark 10:29-30, LB)