SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE
Kendra Intihar
Today's Scripture: “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:23, ESV
Theme: Whether you have much or little, faithfulness pleases God and trains you for more responsibility.
NOBODIES TO SOMEBODIES
There are many stories in the Bible of “nobodies” who faithfully served God in their small circumstances. The reason we know these stories is because these “nobodies” became “somebodies” as a result of their faithfulness. Joseph was sold into slavery, but he allowed God to use His gifts of dream interpretation and wisdom, becoming the most powerful man in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. David, a lowly shepherd boy, became king of Israel because he trusted God’s provision for battle when the more “qualified” people around him shrank with fear. Rahab is labeled a prostitute in the Old Testament, but she protected Joshua’s men at Jericho and received a new label as the grandmother of the Messiah in the New Testament.
What if Joseph had ignored God’s nudge to interpret those dreams? What if David had tucked his sling back into his waistband and run away? What if Rahab had betrayed God’s people at Jericho?
STEWARDING TALENTS… AND THE GOSPEL
When Jesus told the Parable of the Talents on the Mount of Olives, He was echoing stories from Scripture that His disciples would’ve been intimately familiar with as part of their shared history. Jesus was preparing His disciples for the important work of sharing the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. As the small, inner circle of people who had learned from Jesus and most closely followed Him, they were training to be emissaries of the Good News, sharing the hope of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
When they heard the Parable of the Talents, the disciples must’ve known they had a choice to make. What would they do with the priceless treasure of the Gospel message? Share it or bury it? Jesus was entrusting His disciples, not with money or material things, but with something infinitely more valuable: hope. He was counting on them to be good stewards of the platform and message He had given them.
TRUSTED WITH MUCH
Of course, we know the disciples did the work the Lord had called them to because here you and I are, learning about Jesus these millennia later. Whether they have received extensive recognition like John and Peter or whether they served their expansive territory quietly like Bartholomew and Thaddeus, we know that God trusted them with much because they first proved that they could be trusted with little.
Make It Personal: Mother Theresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Like the heroes of our faith, the disciples, and even the servants in Jesus’ parable, God has given each of us something – even if it is a small something. Where has God gifted you? Do you have a gift for teaching? Do you have financial resources? Do you have extra time on your hands? Do you have endless patience and grace for others? Are you an artist? A writer? A joy-bringer? What a wonder to be entrusted with a gift – any gift – by the God of the universe! Stay faithful in these small things and see how the Lord will grow His Kingdom through your faithful hands.
Pray: Jesus, show me the talents – real and metaphorical – You have entrusted to me so that I can bless others in Your Name. Let my gifts and resources be a vehicle for amplifying Your Kingdom and not my own. Help me to stay faithful and consistent in serving You. Amen.
Read: John 3:30; Luke 16:10; Colossians 3:23
Weekly Memory Verse: “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:23, ESV