Sustained prosperity is fundamentally a character issue, transcending mere faith. The overarching message of this discourse emphasizes the imperative of cultivating and maintaining a character that is worthy of divine trust to ensure the endurance of one’s blessings. Through the cautionary tale of King Saul, we are reminded that character, rather than achievement, is the cornerstone of trustworthiness. It becomes evident that one must not only seek blessings but also strive to embody the virtues that safeguard them. As we delve into this subject, we shall explore actionable insights on how to build a resilient character that can withstand the trials of prosperity and remain steadfast in the face of temptation. The discourse provided herein delves into the intricate relationship between character and the capacity to maintain divine blessings. It is established through the foundational scriptural precept found in Luke 16:10 that trustworthiness in minor affairs begets greater responsibilities. The speaker employs the illustrative account of King Saul, who, despite being divinely anointed and favored, ultimately lost his kingship due to a deterioration of character. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that the loss of divine favor is not necessarily a reflection of one’s competency or leadership abilities, but rather a failure in maintaining the trustworthiness required to uphold such blessings. The central thesis posited is that the essence of sustained prosperity is inextricably linked to character. This assertion is supported by the notion that many individuals experience breakthroughs—whether in business or personal relationships—only to see them dissipate due to a lack of character that can uphold such advancements. The speaker succinctly articulates that faith, while pivotal in receiving blessings, must be accompanied by character, which is essential for their stewardship. This is further emphasized through three key points: the necessity of faithfulness in small matters as a precursor to larger responsibilities, the importance of accountability in fostering character, and the imperative of establishing a covenant of integrity prior to facing temptation. Listeners are ultimately challenged to engage in a reflective process that leads to the creation of a 'character covenant', which encapsulates their commitments to integrity across various domains of life. This proactive approach to character building is framed not merely as a response to crises but as a daily practice of faithfulness and integrity. The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging the audience to embrace the notion that extraordinary blessings will follow those who diligently cultivate their character, thereby positioning themselves as reliable stewards of the gifts bestowed upon them.

Takeaways:

• The character development process precedes the receipt of significant blessings from God, emphasizing the need for trustworthiness.
• Sustained prosperity is fundamentally linked to one's character rather than solely reliant on faith or belief.
• Individuals must establish accountability structures to reinforce their character and ensure they remain aligned with their values.
• Daily choices and small acts of faithfulness contribute significantly to the cultivation of strong character over time.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Luke 16:10
• Matthew 25:21
• Proverbs 27:17
• Daniel 1:8

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.

Your character gives weight to your words.

In the final message of the series, there's a story we all know, or we should know.

King Saul.

God hand picked him, poured anointing on him, made him king, gave him the victory.

And then Saul got impatient.

He stopped obeying completely.

He started making his own rules.

And God said to Samuel, I regret that I made Saul king because he turned away from me.

Not because Saul stopped achieving, not because Saul stopped leading, but because Saul stopped being trustworthy.

He had the blessing, but his character couldn't keep it.

The anointing didn't leave Saul because God stopped loving him.

It left because Saul stopped being safe for it.

The final message for today in this series, the character that keeps a blessing.

God doesn't give big things to small character.

He builds the character first, then he builds the blessing on it.

The goal of this series was not to help you, not just to help you keep the blessing.

It's to get the blessing is to help you keep it.

Many people get the breakthrough.

The business takes off, the relationship restores, the door opens, and within two years it's all gone.

Not because God changed his mind, but because the character wasn't there to sustain it.

This message is about how to build and maintain the kind of character that God can entrust with loss and faithfulness.

Sustained prosperity is a character issue, not just a faith issue.

Some people may say, I've been believing God and confessing the Word, but I'm still not seeing breakthrough.

Faith without character is like a car without an engine.

It looks right, but it won't move.

God responds to faith, but he sustains the fruitful through character.

Both matter.

You need just faith.

You need the faith to receive and the character to steward.

Stop asking God, God, give me more.

Start asking God, make me into someone who can, you can trust with more.

Number 1.1 of the message.

Faithfulness in small things is God's interior.

God tests character in small things before he releases big things.

The person faithful with R100 is being prepared for R100 thousand.

The employer faithful with small responsibilities, being prepared for authority.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

You have been faithful with a few things.

I will put you in charge of many things.

Think about a job interview.

The hiring manager watches everything.

How you greet the receptionist, whether you're on time, how you treat the person at the door.

God does the same.

He watches how you treat People with no power over your future, how you manage money.

Nobody's checking how you speak about people who aren't in the room.

Small faithfulness is God's interview for big responsibility.

Point two Accountability is a character tool, not a cage.

People of strong character choose accountability.

They don't wait to be caught.

They build structures that help them stay right.

David had Nathan Proverbs says iron sharpens iron.

The best athletes in the world have coaches not because they can't play, but because they know a second set of eyes makes them better.

You need people around you who can speak truth to you when your character is sliding.

Not people who clap for everything, people who will tell you the truth.

Some of you have surrounded yourself with people who only speak life.

You need at least one person who will also speak truth.

Speaking life to a bad decision is not faith, it's enabling.

Can I get an amen?

Strong character always chooses accountability before it needs correction.

Point 3 Character is maintained by covenant convenience.

Character must be chosen daily, not just in crisis moments.

It's a covenant you make with God before the temptation arrives.

Decide in advance who you are going to be.

Daniel 1, verse 8 but Daniel resolved not to defile himself.

Daniel made his decision before the king's table was even set.

The person who decides they won't lie before they're in the meeting.

The person who decides they'll tithe before the salary comes in.

The person who decides they won't entertain flirtation before it starts.

Decide who you are, who you are before you are in the situation that tests it.

Decide who you are before the moment that will test it.

Character is not built on in a Sunday service.

Character is not built in one big decision.

Character is built in the small choices, the small quiet moments, the daily faithfulness, the private integrity.

It is not the blessing that proves the character, it is a character that protects the blessing.

Decide before you are tested.

Stand before you are shaken.

Trust before you can see.

What small thing is God asking you to be faithful in now?

Who holds you accountable to the person God is calling you to be?

Have you made a decision about your character or are you still deciding when the moment comes?

Make a character covenant.

Write down five decisions you are making before temptation arrives.

Make Identify one person in your life who tells you the truth and prioritize that relationship.

Choose one small act of faithfulness to demonstrate consistently for the next 30 days.

Audit your finances, words and relationships for character gaps.

Ask God what are you asking me to steward better right now?

What has God given you in this season that you are not yet stewarding?

Well, who is in your life?

Who in your life holds you accountable?

And do they actually speak truth to you?

What is one decision you can make in advance that will protect your character?

And where does convenience regularly beat your conviction?

What would need to change in your private life for your public life to reflect God's best?

Before the week ends, write your character covenant.

Five decisions, five non negotiables.

Who are you going to be?

At work, at home, with money, with people, with God?

Put it somewhere.

You will see it, share it with the one person and then live it.

One day at a time, one decision at a time.

Character is built in the ordinary.

The extraordinary comes after.

Let us pray.

Father, I want you to be a person you can trust not just with the prayer, but with the life.

I choose today to build character before I chase blessed blessing.

I choose faithfulness over shortcuts, accountability over isolation and covenant over convenience.

Build me, shape me, refine me, so that when the blessing comes, it finds someone ready to carry it, worthy to steward it and strong enough to keep it.

In Jesus name, amen.