Luke 19:17

FAITHFULNESS IN LITTLE THINGS

‘Because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.’

Luke 19:17

‘Faithful’ is a larger and more comprehensive word than at first sight appears. It has two meanings; it has a double application. It means, first, one who trusts, and then one who himself is worthy to be trusted. And in this sense the word ‘trusted’ has a greater teaching. We must first trust that we may be trusted. In Bible language, we must have ‘faith’ ourselves in God in order that we may be furnished by Him with power to be ‘faithful’ in all our relationships with the world.

We will deal with one or two of the ‘little things,’ as men call them, which require, and are the test of, faithfulness.

I. Faithfulness to the conscience.

II. Faithfulness to self.

III. Faithfulness to man.

IV. Faithfulness to God.

Illustration

‘As a religious exercise. “little things” are a better test of character than great things. “Little things” come every day; great things do not. The world turns on small hinges; but for great things we brace ourselves up, and make exceptional efforts. “Little things” deal with reality, without any show; and what we call “little things” are often much greater than what we call the great ones, and therefore have much larger consequences. Attend to the “little things,” and you need not be anxious about the greater ones.’