Luke 16:10 / ESV
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much..."
Little things turn into big things. Last week we took a look at Luke 16:10 and primarily focused on the second half of the verse. Today, I would like to turn our attention to the first part of this verse which says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much”. Little things matter to God and how we choose to handle those things can determine our course. Determine our course? Really, is it as serious as that? Well, yes, it can be. However, that’s not to say if we’ve ever mishandled something then we’ve messed things up forever. Each of us has failed in situations big and small, but God is the Redeemer of ALL things when we submit those things to Him.
I Kings 17 tells the story of a widow woman and her son. The land in which they lived was experiencing a severe drought, not having received any rain for over three years. Crops had failed, food was scarce, and she was down to her last little bit of flour and oil. She was preparing to fix what she thought would be the final meal she and her son would ever eat.
Then, the prophet of the Lord received instructions from God to travel to that city specifically for her. Upon meeting her, he asked that she bring him some water and bread. After explaining to him that this was all she had, he still directed her to prepare food for him first and then for her and the child. I can’t even imagine what must have been going through her mind at that point. She was hesitant to honor his request at first, but then the prophet promised that her flour and oil would not run out until the land received rain again. She followed through with giving the little she had and, in doing so, God provided her enough to feed the prophet, herself and her son for many days following until the rain began to fall again. If this widow would have chosen to keep the little for herself, she and her son probably would have died because there was nothing left to sustain them. Instead, she gave the little she had and faithfully honored the prophet of the Lord with the continued supply of flour and oil she received due to her obedience.
How we handle the little things is a test of our faith and integrity. Too often we want God to open the windows of heaven and give us charge over bigger things when we haven't proven to follow through in the smaller ones. We want the bigger job, the bigger blessing, the bigger bank account, the bigger ministry - but we haven't been faithful with the small task at hand. Instead, we want to hurdle past this part; the part that develops character, the part that challenges integrity, the part that allows God to show Himself faithful so that we can learn to trust because He IS faithful. If we are faithful in managing a little, we are capable of being faithful to manage much. The widow in this story could have easily said, "Okay, I fed you, now be on your way", and kept the residual flow of flour and oil all for herself. Rather, she chose to continue giving out of her abundance. This is the difference between fear and faith. If she were stingy with the small amount of food she had, it is extremely likely she would have continued being stingy with a cupboard full. Fear would have said, "We need to hang onto everything we have because we have no idea how long this season will last." Faith chose obedience. Obedience opened the hand of God to provide.
Integrity, good character and faith are built as we persevere in the small things; in the things we sometimes think aren't seen or don't matter. Be consistent, continue to be faithful, and watch as God increases our capacity until we have become faithful stewards of much for the kingdom of God.
Philippians 2:13 / ESV For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
I Kings 17:1-16 / ESV - Elijah predicts a drought
Matthew 25:23 / ESV
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
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