In a world where everyone is always wanting bigger and better it is easy to overlook the importance of being faithful with small things. To ask ourselves what are we doing with what we have in our hands now, with what we have already been blessed with?
Jesus said, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” (Luke 16:20)
God wants to use us in incredible ways, and to invest more in our lives. But first He wants to see how we manage what we have; how trustworthy we are in the small things, before giving us the responsibility of true riches.
Put yourself in God’s shoes. If you were God looking from heaven, watching the way that you manage what He’s given you, would you consider yourself worthy of greater trust and investment?
This doesn’t mean that God only uses or approves of people who have a lot of money, or are incredibly successful in the world’s eyes. But He does look at our attitudes, and what we have, and how we are using it now.
God always calls and gives more to those who choose to be faithful and honest in managing their skills, gifting’s and abilities. Who are not idle, lazy or take for granted what they have, failing to use it for good.
God values our attitudes, the condition of our hearts, and our work ethic. Elisha was working in the fields with his oxen when Elijah, who was directed by God, called him to come and be his apprentice. Moses was faithfully looking after his father-in-law’s sheep when God called him. David was on shepherding duties, mostly forgotten about by his own family, and busy fighting off lions and bears, when God chose him to be the next king. Amos was a hardworking herdsman. Peter, James, John and Andrew were fishermen. Matthew was sitting at the table working on his accounts. No where in the Bible does God call a lazy person, who is not diligently using what they already have.
God will give us more based on how we use what He has put into our lives. Luke 16:11 says, “If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store?” That’s God’s basic way of looking at this. What we do with what we have already; how we use our time, skill and money is a barometer of our hearts.
For “God will always do great things with people who are willing to be faithful in the small things” (Lysa Terkeurst)
If you aren’t happy with what you already have, and how your life is now, consider how faithful and honest you are. Are you using your skills, abilities, possessions, and all you’ve been given to the best of your abilities? Are you seeking to bless others and serve God with what you already have? It’s a matter of the heart, and God does test us to see how our heart is! For if you are not faithful in earthly matters, how can you be faithful in heavenly matters?
“A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in the little things is a great thing” (Hudson Taylor)
Today consider how faithful and honest you are in small things. Choose to use what you have; your skills, gifting, money, home, car, possessions, your time and effort to the best of your ability. Make all you have available to God for Him to use. As you do, you’ll soon discover He’ll start to trust you with bigger things, and His true riches.
Prayer: Lord please help me to use what I have already to the best of my abilities; to both serve you and others with, so that you can trust me with more, and with true riches. In Jesus Name Amen.
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