Let us consider a concrete example. Did our revered Father Sergius possess much when he selected this locale for himself, or more accurately, when God designated him to bless this site? It may be more enlightening to discuss what he renounced rather than what he had. He relinquished his titles, his family home, and his inheritance; what he discovered here was a barren desert, not entirely devoid of water for one, yet utterly insufficient for many, even with scant resources; he constructed a humble dwelling and a small chapel, yet there was often no priest to serve or even bread in his hut, and sometimes no lamp for night prayers in the chapel.
There was one noteworthy gift bestowed upon him early on: a deep yearning to serve God; however, only time could reveal whether this gift was genuine and how it would enrich his endeavors. What did time ultimately reveal? Observe how this faithful servant was ‘set over much’ in heavenly matters while still dwelling on earth! How he now wields authority over various earthly matters from his heavenly abode! Did he not act with divine power when he called the dead back to life, or when he inspired the liberation of the homeland from the oppression of non-believers, not merely through counsel and prayer but through insight and prophecy? What greater power exists than this, capable of transforming a wasteland into an enduring sanctuary and distributing blessings, protection, consolation, healing, and assistance throughout generations, across locations and people? It is through the grace of the miraculous God among His saints that there exists an unfathomable abundance. Here is a clear illustration that in the kingdom of God, ‘faithfulness in a little leads to authority over many’.
However, I address these matters not merely for wonder but for understanding. Therefore, having illustrated through personal example the operation of this universal principle, I urge you to reflect on this law itself, which, as the overarching principle of God's kingdom, applies to all, including each of us, if we aspire to be part of it. Whoever you may be, should you desire the kingdom of heaven for yourself, this parable speaks to you as well. Thus, if you wish to attain your desires, you must also strive to hear this commendation: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little.’ For if you fail to achieve this, then surely, the inverse shall occur: you shall hear, ‘You wicked and slothful servant’; and then be cast into the outer darkness (Matthew 25:26, 30). Should you fear these outcomes, take heed of ‘faithfulness’. Do not dismiss the importance of being ‘faithful in little’.
As Christians, we gladly identify ourselves as ‘faithful’, believing in the promise of salvation; conversely, we view the title ‘unfaithful’ with disdain and see it as leading to ruin. This perspective aligns with the Gospel and Apostolic teachings. ‘What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?’ asks the Apostle (2 Cor. 6:15). Recognizing that the faithful inherit salvation in keeping with the words of Jesus Christ: ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved’ (Mk. 16:16), it follows that the unfaithful's inheritance must be destruction.
Yet, to prevent self-deception, we must carefully evaluate who truly holds the right to be deemed faithful, and whether we possess that right ourselves. Might someone claim, ‘I am certainly faithful because I adhere to the Christian understanding of God’? I fear the Apostle would argue against this notion: ‘You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble’ (James 2:19). Yet, no one would dare call them faithful. Thus, what initially seems a simple inquiry becomes profoundly intricate upon deeper inspection.
Upon further reflection, we may discern three essential components within the full understanding of ‘faith’: assurance, confidence, and faithfulness. When the Apostle declares that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who seek Him’ (Hebrews 11:6), he emphasizes the initial aspect of faith, the ‘certainty’ of divine truths, which can be considered the intellectual aspect of faith. However, when specifying Abraham's faith, who ‘believed God, who gives life to the dead’ (Heb. 11:6), and trusted God ‘against hope’ (Rom. 4:17-18), the faith required transcends mere intellectual acknowledgment; it embodies a deep-seated, unwavering commitment to God, an absolute ‘trust’ in His gracious promises. This kind of faith naturally receives the redemptive power of the sacraments, sometimes evidenced by miraculous gifts.
Nonetheless, even such faith—miraculous as it may be—can be incomplete and unfruitful, as illustrated by Christ’s grave warning: ‘Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness"’ (Matthew 7:22-23).
Thus, for faith to be justifying and redemptive, it must be comprehensively complemented by ‘faithfulness’. The Apostle emphasizes this necessity when he states, ‘Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul’ (Heb. 10:38-39). ‘Faith’ stands opposed to the ruin of ‘resentment’, doubt, instability, betrayal; whereas, ‘faithfulness’ represents steadfastness toward God and Christ through the unwavering confession of the true faith, relentless adherence to God’s commandments, and faithful observance of the sacraments and divine ministrations, using them with care as intended by God for His glory.
It becomes increasingly evident that the right to be called ‘faithful’ is not easily secured, despite how readily we may assign ourselves this title. Should you genuinely desire to be counted among the ‘faithful’, over whom Christ’s promise will be fulfilled—‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved’—then you must do more than intellectually accept God, recognizing that He rewards those who seek Him and that in His immeasurable love for humanity He sent His only begotten Son to illustrate the pathway to salvation, along with His Holy Spirit for our sanctification; rather, dedicate yourself fully to faith with your whole being and life, allowing faith to guide every aspect of your existence, representing your life as a testament to your faith.
Moreover, be devoted to the King of Heaven, to whom, by creation, you inherently belong as the sovereign Lord of all, and upon embracing Christianity, you willingly accepted servitude; remain ever-faithful to His name, His commands, His service, and all the gifts and talents entrusted to you, ‘to each according to his ability’ (Matt. 25:15). It is likely that many among us fail to perceive the gravity of being unfaithful before God, conceiving unfaithfulness only in grand terms, while overlooking minor lapses. If we were to hear, ‘Come, let us serve another God’ (Deuteronomy 13:2), who would not recoil at the very notion of even a small degree of unfaithfulness? Ironically, the enormity of the sin diminishes its perceived danger.
To falter in ‘little’ may seem less alarming, and thus the peril it poses, masked by its triviality, ensnares the inattentive. Some comfort themselves with thoughts such as: ‘I am not like the wicked servant who buried his talent in the earth and did no good; I accomplish something. It matters not if some small part of my talent goes unutilized or is wasted; I may neglect certain commands or vows, or reserves of time that should be devoted to God; some resources I might misuse or channel solely for personal pleasure.’ Alas, dear friend, you do not judge as our just Lord judges. He grants great authority only to the ‘faithful in small matters’; hence, by intentionally neglecting your fidelity in lesser things, you forfeit your claim to the greater.
If the Lord does not reward unfaithfulness in minor things, and you find yourself deprived even of lesser rewards because of it, what will ultimately remain for you? False self-justification often claims that struggling to be faithful in the ‘little’ is hardly worthwhile, suggesting that greater fidelity would come with more significant responsibilities. With the Lord's words, let us silence such self-deluding assertions: ‘He who is faithful in a little is faithful also in much; he who is unjust in a little is unjust also in much’ (Luke 16:10). One who steals or squanders a small sum will likely do the same with a larger fortune. The same holds true in spiritual matters: for the unfaithful in small offerings, greater blessings would only lead to greater unfaithfulness.
God’s generosity is boundless; He can suddenly bestow many grand gifts of grace upon a believer. However, to safeguard them from extreme condemnation for unfaithfulness in larger responsibilities, He allows them to be tested in smaller services, thereby preparing them for greater graces. By reflecting upon such truths, dear friends, let us fervently strive to remain faithful before God in all matters. Let us resolve to honor Him with the gifts of nature, that we may receive the higher gifts of grace; let us safeguard our initial grace, that we might be entrusted with greater treasures; and at the first sign of our infidelity, let us, at the very least, be faithful in acknowledging and confessing our sins. For God ‘is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 Jn. 1:9). In our repentance and fidelity to the little things, He will reward us with a wealth of peace within and the promise of eternal salvation. Amen.
THEOSIS