June 28

Faithfulness in small things

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10).
“And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12).

Little faithfulnesses then are not only the preparation for great ones, but little faithfulnesses are in themselves the great ones. Observe the striking fact that our Lord does not say, “He that is faithful in that which is least will be faithful also in much,” but “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” The essential fidelity of the heart is the same whether it be exercised in two mites or in a regal treasury; the genuine faithfulness of the life is equally beautiful whether it be displayed in governing an empire or in writing an exercise. It has been quaintly said that if God were to send two angels to earth, the one to occupy a throne, and the other to clean a road, they would each regard their employments as equally distinguished and equally happy.


All of us may be, in St. Paul’s high language, “fellow-laborers with God,” and he who is that, be he slave or angel, can be nothing better or greater. The mountains cease to be colossal, the ocean tides lose their majesty, if you see what an atom our earth is in the starry space. Even so turn the telescope of faith to Heaven, and see how at once earth’s grandeurs dwindle into nothingness, and Heaven’s least interests dilate into eternal breadth. Yes, to be a faithful Christian is greater in God’s sight than to be a triumphant statesman or a victorious emperor.—Dean Farrar.

I believe it matters little whether we are employed in gathering the sheaves or gleaning the straggling ears after the reaper; it is the state of the soul which fixes the value of the employment, not the employment itself; to glorify God is enough, in small or great things, according as the measure of ability and opportunity is ours. Let us try to fix our eye on this and aim at it alone.
—Catherine Booth.

There never has been a great and beautiful character which has not become so by filling well the ordinary and smaller offices appointed of God.
—Horace Bushnell.

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