SMALL STUFF

Matthew 25:14-21
14 It will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. "Master" he said, "you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more." 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."

Sixty-three years ago, a young girl received a diary for her 13th birthday. Nothing special, right? Perhaps not, at the time. But that young girl was Anne Frank, and her diary has gone on to move and inspire generations of readers in some 30 languages.

The Diary of Anne Frank reveals the teenager's thoughts and feelings, fears and frustrations, at having to live in hiding from the Nazis for nearly 2 years. Anne's writing is a snapshot of what was happening in the world around her, and of her hope amid hatred and terror. And we still have it with us today--all because of Anne's faithfulness in the little thing of keeping a diary.

Small stuff can make a big difference--and that's not just something we learn from Anne Frank. Jesus taught His followers that lesson in Matthew 25. He told a parable about a rich man who gave his servants responsibility for some of his money while he was away. The servant who put his small amount of money to the best use was rewarded with ten times the authority and responsibility. His boss came back and told him, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things" (v.21).

Life sometimes gets bogged down in lots of small stuff that doesn't seem to matter: running errands, getting that last bit of homework done, cleaning the bathroom (again). But those little things add up. Through them we learn responsibility, how to take care of the things that have been entrusted to us. God wants to see how we handle what He has given us today--to find out if we'll be able to handle bigger responsibilities down the road.

And maybe, if we prove faithful, we'll hear what that servant in Jesus' parable heard: "Well done, good and faithful servant!" --Tracy Carbaugh

destination
points

* What are some "small things" that seem to be insignificant to me now? What are some big lessons I could be learning through those small things?
* What should be my goal in being faithful with my small responsibilities today?

LINKS:
Dad's Pencil
http://www.christianitytoday.com/money/articles/stewardship.html

Anne Frank Center
http://www.annefrank.com

bottom line: Small stuff makes a big difference.

soul journey