Proverbs 28:20 - Homiletics

A faithful man.

I. HIS CHARACTER . Nothing can be more grand than fidelity. When found in a man it is an image of the eternal constancy of God; it is like that Divine righteousness which the psalmist compared to the "everlasting hills"—so firm, so enduring, so changeless. It would be well if this grand Old Testament grace were more prized and cultivated in the Christian Church. Let us consider it in some of its manifold aspects. What is the character of the faithful man?

1 . He is true to himself . This fidelity must lie at the root of his fidelity to others. The faithful man must act out honestly what he feels to be demanded by his own inkier convictions.

2 . He is true to his God . The man of God is faithful as well as trustful. Thus his faith has the two sides of passive submission and active loyalty. The primary duty to God must be observed before the secondary duty to man can be kept.

3 . Are is true to his friend . This does not merely mean that he keeps his pledges. It also involves his regarding the welfare of his friend and coming to his aid in the hour of need, danger, and helpful service.

4 . He is true to his word —one who "sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not." It is nothing that we keep our promises when they run along the lines of our own inclinations. The test is that they are equally honoured when they involve self-sacrifice.

5 . He is true when unobserved . Faithful service is the opposite of eye service. The faithful man will do well, though he never expects to be called to account. Faithful work is that which never meets the eye, and yet is as well wrought as the most conspicuous work.

6 . He is true in face of danger . Here is the test of fidelity. The faithful servant of Christ is one who will not forsake his Lord when persecution threatens him. The martyr is "faithful unto death" ( Revelation 2:10 ).

II. HIS FRUITFULNESS . He "abounds with blessings." He is like Abraham, "the father of the faithful," who was both blessed himself and a blessing to others ( Genesis 12:2 ).

1 . He is a recipient of abundant blessings . It is a happy thing to be faithful even though fidelity be met with misunderstanding or persecution.

2 . He is a source of abundant blessings . One true, faithful soul—what a tower of strength! what a treasury of help! what a haven of refuge! He is rich indeed who has a faithful friend. The faithful man can be relied on to help in time of need, when the faithless man, who perhaps is much stronger, deserts his trusting friend. Christ is faithful ( 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ), and as such is a source of abundant blessings to his people. His fidelity is the ground of our faith.