Faithful in the Small or Few Things First

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!'

“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
-Matt. 25:21-3 (NLT)

I was pondering what are things to have running or have working in our lives, as we walk into a new, upgraded season.  Upgraded software needs upgraded hardware.  The software comes in over the air, but the hardware must be up to spec. to receive it.

Some of the things that have occurred to me, are:
  • Gracious generosity: Give and it shall be given (Luke 6:38).
  • The upside down job/ministry/life of being servant to all (Mark 9:35, 10:34 & Matt. 20:26).
  • The provision that the fruit of the Spirit provides for every interpersonal challenge (Gal. 5:22-3)
  • Having faith in life's storms and recognizing Jesus in our boat (Mark 4:38:40).
The next one, I want to share, is the principle of being faithful or trustworthy in the small things or small amounts first, before you can be trusted with larger things, or more responsibilities.

This is the principle:  You must not wait for the big to come along, nor wait to get responsible.  Whatever God has given you now, be responsible with that.  Faithfulness is the principle to be learned.

Here is a paradox:  When you do show that you are faithful or trustworthy in small things or small amounts, and you do get the promotion, from the Lord; you still have to remain faithful or trustworthy in the small things.  The 'servant of all' message applies to those who get more responsibilities.

These ideas or principles dovetail together, because they are aspects of the Jesus-follower or disciple of Christ.  These things describe how Jesus will live in you as you walk in him.  And there are many other aspects of the life in Christ.  

Jesus taught the practical.  Discipleship is when you learn something new, a better way, and then you try the new way and discover how it works.  And you can do it, because he is with you and living through you.  Discipleship is learning to live the life.


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The painting above is called, 'Young Lady Sketching Landscape', by Henry Le Jeune, from Meghan Gorecki's post, here.

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