faithfulness
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Luke 19:12-26
12He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant
country to have himself appointed king and then to
return. 13So he called ten of his servants and gave
them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come
back.' 14"But his subjects hated him and sent a
delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our
king.' 15"He was made king, however, and returned
home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money,
in order to find out what they had gained with
it. 16"The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina
has earned ten more.'
17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied.
'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take
charge of ten cities.' 18"The second came and said,
'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19"His
master answered, 'You take charge of five
cities.' 20"Then another servant came and said,
'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of
cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a
hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you
did not sow.' 22"His master replied, 'I will judge
you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that
I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what
I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money
on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it
with interest?' 24"Then he said to those standing
by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten
minas.' 25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has
ten!' 26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone
who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing,
even what he has will be taken away.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.