Faithfulness In Little Things

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.”

Sometimes we tend to think of our character as being what we do in big things, whether or not we are involved in any big sins or not. Yet our character is really shown more in the little things and also when we are under pressure. We also tend to think (at least I did) that as long as we will know when we face a life-changing decision and that as long as we make the right choice in a big decision we will be fine.

With that said, I would like to look at a few examples of people whose seemingly small decisions had further reaching consequences than they expected. In these situations they also did not realize they were on trial, they were not on their best behavior, so-to-speak, but acted entirely within their character, just as we would in their place.

In Exodus 2:15 Moses had just been forced to flee Egypt after having killed an Egyptian he saw beating a Hebrew. His aiding one of his own people had not gotten him anywhere, it earned him no thanks from his own people and even endangered his life. Yet as he sat at the well and saw men driving away the daughters of Jethro from the well, he went to their defense. It was certainly a low point in his life as he sat there, and his past experiences would not have caused him to expect any good to come of his actions. However because he rose to the defense of Jethro’s daughters he unwittingly provided himself with a place to stay, a position of employment, and a wife. From this also came his later call back to Egypt. All this because he was willing to oppose injustice, and aid the oppressed, even in his own time of difficulty.

Rebekah also did not know she was on trial as she offered to give water to the camels as well as the man. That act of generosity, which was likely not a solitary act, but a way of life for her, opened the door for her to be partaker of the promises given to Abraham and to have part in the lineage of the Messiah (Gen. 24:15-21).

In the negative, the unknown man in Ruth (Ruth 4:1-8) did not know the inheritance he was refusing when he refused to be redeemer to Ruth. He lost the opportunity to have his name written in the eternal Word of God and instead is mentioned as, “so and so.” He lost his place as an ancestor of King David and ultimately of Jesus Christ. What cost him this place, only one small act of selfishness. He refused to do part of a redeemer, because he did not want the expense of buying the property which would go the firstborn of the union with Ruth, who would not bear his name. He had no idea he was on trial and it cost him.

Lastly, Judah had no realization that he was on trial, when he offered to take the place of Benjamin as a slave so that Benjamin could return to the father (Gen. 44). Yet somehow as he did that the focus shifted to him as the one from whom would come the kingship and eventually the Lion of Judah, who would Himself suffer for others so they could return to the Father. God looking back at that event says, “Judah prevailed over his brethren.” No one realized there was a contest, but his self-denial won him a crown he did not even know existed.

In the same way we may have many little opportunities to show forth the character of Christ, we may never know until eternity what the consequences are. So let us be faithful in the little things!