Nehemiah 13:13: “And I [Nehemiah] appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren.”

November 15th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

The phrase “for they were considered faithful” should catch our attention. Being trustworthy or faithful is a character trait that God is constantly working to develop more of in His children. The men Nehemiah appointed over the storehouses came from 4 different occupations, but they all shared the same important attribute: faithfulness. They were dependable and responsible.

The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to look for this same important trait in the people he was training: “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2, italics added). We note that Timothy wasn’t told to look for the most ingenious men, the best orators, or even those with natural leadership abilities. Paul doesn’t even tell Timothy to look for those with the most spiritual gifts. Instead he focuses on those who are already faithful; those who, after Timothy was gone, could be trusted to teach others the same truths they had been taught. Every believer, deep down in their heart, looks forward to hearing the words Jesus said 2000 years ago in a parable:

Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. (Matt. 25:23)

Missionary writer Oswald Chambers said it this way: “God has not called us to success but to faithfulness.”

“LORD, please help us to be a people who are faithful, walking the walk, not just talking the talk, in Jesus’ name.”