Faithful in the Small Things

“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much.” — Luke 16:10

The word faithful has several meanings. It conveys the idea of carrying out an assigned task accurately, honestly, diligently, and in accordance with what is expected of us. It also carries the meaning of being trustworthy.

Furthermore, as we can see from the English word faithful itself, it is made up of faith and -ful, meaning full of something. In other words, it can remind us of being full of faith.

Many of the people in the Bible who were loved and used by God were indeed faith-full—full of faith.

Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and others experienced long periods in which the promises they had received from God seemed far from being fulfilled. Yet they never stopped serving Him. Instead, in places where no one was watching and where their efforts went unrecognized, they continued to serve faithfully as people of faith, carrying out the work the Lord expected of them.

Eventually, God’s promises and plans for their lives came to pass: Abraham became “the father of many nations,” Joseph became a great leader of authority in Egypt, Moses led the entire nation of Israel out of Egypt, and David became Israel’s greatest king.

Many of us Christians may also find ourselves living day after day, repeating what seem to be the same small tasks and routines.

However, even when we are repeatedly given small responsibilities that go unnoticed by others, if we remain faith-full—full of faith—and continue working alongside the Lord, faithfully carrying out the tasks entrusted to us as expected, with accuracy and honesty, without giving up, God will lead us into the purpose for which He created us, according to the plans He has prepared for our lives.

“For if you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what is your own?” — Luke 16:11–12

We were created in the image of God, and He has a vision for us to grow into the mature people He desires us to become. Until we are entrusted with those true riches and receive what He has prepared for us, let us faithfully fulfill the responsibilities and duties that He has placed before us today.