Loyalty Does Matter

Luke 16:10

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Recently, I had someone come to my office and complain about my staff man doing exactly what I told them to do. Their complaint was that my staff men never thought for themselves. I responded to this person by telling them that they were being unfair to my staff men because they didn't understand what went on behind closed doors. I then began to explain to this person that in my staff meetings, we have great discussions about what to do in every situation. However, once I make up my mind about what we are to do, I expect my staff men to be loyal to what I have decided to do. Once this person heard what I said, they then understood that the staff men were only following the decisions I made and were being loyal to their boss and pastor.

We live in days when loyalty has been belittled and denigrated to the detriment of our society and churches. One of the statements I often hear is that they are only loyal to Christ, yet it is amazing how their lives mimic the world. The only reason they don't want to be loyal to their pastor is because they want to be their own god and do what they want to do. Those who are disloyal to the pastor or authorities are those who want to live like those in the book of Judges who did right in their own eyes to their destruction.

My friend, loyalty is a Bible character trait. Jesus said, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. The word faithful is the same word we use for loyalty. Jesus was teaching the importance of being loyal to those who lead you. I would hate to think that I am more loyal to the world than I am in my spiritual affairs. If it is ok to be loyal in the world, it is also ok to be loyal in our spiritual world. That means that loyalty to our pastor and church is critical. Let me give a couple thoughts about the importance of loyalty.

First, a disloyal person cannot be trusted in any area. If a person is disloyal to their boss, they will be disloyal to their pastor as well. If a person is disloyal to their pastor, you can guarantee that they'll be disloyal to their spouse as well. Disloyalty affects every area of your life. You show me a person who is loyal, and I will show you a person who can be trusted in every relationship and in every position. Never trust disloyal people because they will turn on you as quickly as they have turned on the one that they were disloyal to.

Second, loyalty is needed for the work of God to go forward. You give me people who are disloyal in the church, and I will show you a church that is filled with strife. There must be loyalty to those in leadership because it means that there is an organization that is being followed. Loyalty does not mean that I think someone is sinless; it just means that I choose to be faithful to a person whom God has placed over me. When a person is loyal, you can trust them to follow the decision made on how something is to be done, which will keep an organization or a church running orderly.

Third, your loyalty to man reveals your loyalty to God. God placed His man in authority, and He expects you to be loyal to him. Thus, if you're disloyal to man, you are disobeying God, which means that you are disloyal to God. Never run from the importance of being loyal. However loyal you are to those over you will determine how loyal those you lead will be to you.