Part Two: Faithful in Little
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Luke 16:10
This quote from Jesus in the gospel of Luke is a parable rebuking the Pharisees about serving God and money. But the point Jesus makes at the end could give insight to why you are not receiving the big requests you’re making in your prayers.
“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?“
Luke 16:11
Since God is a father figure, put yourself in the mind of a father here on Earth. Let’s say every time a father gives his kid a present, all they do is ask for more. The gifts you’ve given in the past are either lost or broken. The child is too immature to realize all the great things their parents have already done for them.
What would you do if your child never said thank you or cared for their Christmas gifts? Maybe I’m mean but if that was the case, the car my child would receive on their 16th would look a lot more like a mountain bike. But in all seriousness, if you are not thankful and faithful with the blessings you have, how can you be trusted with the blessings you want.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6
Even in this verse, Paul says that when you present your requests to God you need to do it with three things, prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. When you start to give thanks more, one of two things will happen. You will either have more of your prayers answered, or you won’t want what you thought you needed.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
