March 14th

Being Faithful in the Small Things

²¹"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:21 NIV 

A major part of God’s will for our lives is that we simply be faithful with the day-to-day responsibilities he entrusts to us.   

The above passage came from the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where the master entrusted his money to his servants prior to going on a long trip.  When he returned, he rewarded the two servants who invested the money, but rebuked and punished the servant who had not invested the money.   

Just as the master in the parable, God entrusts us with talents, resources and relationships.  He expects us to be faithful in employing them to further his kingdom.   

It would be a mistake to think that we should abandon our current obligations in pursuit of some higher calling for God.  God wants us to honor our current obligations, because this will establish a “foundation of faithfulness” for more to be entrusted to us.  As the master in the above parable told his servant, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:21 NIV).   

We have many opportunities to prove our faithfulness each day.  Some examples include: driving the speed limit, getting to church on time, showing love to our neighbors, taking our children to the park, having a daily quiet time, eating right, listening to our spouse, exercising, getting enough sleep, tithing, showing love to family members, honoring our word, fixing things around the house in a timely manner, using our words to encourage not tear down, and yes, even being courteous to telemarketers!   

As we take those day-to-day responsibilities to task this week, we can remember that by doing so, we are honoring God and setting a foundation for future blessings. 

Questions for further thought:

• How is time a critical factor in proving ourselves faithful?
• What talents, resources and relationships has God entrusted to you?
• How does being faithful in the day-to-day things help us with bigger things that God may entrust to us?
• What are some ways that you can be faithful with what God has already entrusted to you?

Prayer:

“Heavenly Father, May your name be glorified and exalted in all that I do. Thank you for entrusting so many precious gifts to me.  Lord, I confess that I have been unfaithful in the following ways: _______________(list them).  Please forgive me for those failures.  Please strengthen me now, Lord, to be faithful in these areas.  Please help me keep in mind that these are opportunities to honor you and sow for your kingdom.  Thank you, Lord!  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”