L04 – Small Things are Really Big Things
"Haul yourself up a hundred and one times a day in order to do it, until you get into the habit of putting God first and calculating with Him in view." - Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost for His Highest”, July 5th.
Scripture reference: Luk_16:10-17
Being a Disciple in everyday life is being faithful to God in whatever it is that we do, and doing it as if we were doing it for Him. Col_3:22-24.
Our Lord is telling us in the discourse recorded in Luk_16:10-13 that He is expecting us to be faithful and obedient to Him in our everyday lives as a requisite for more important assignments.
Luke 16:10
[10] "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
He is illustrating that it is a testing ground for us to see if we will follow His instruction, no matter what it is, and be faithful in any task that is given to us.
Luke 16:11-12
[11] "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
[12] "And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?
Why would He entrust to us responsibility to do eternal matters of duty when we are not faithful in the everyday tasks He has given to us to perform.
Luke 16:13
[13] "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
We cannot forget that even in the most menial and mundane tasks of life, we are His servants and we serve Him and not the world system of getting for getting's sake.
Storing up riches for ourselves, not submitting ourselves to His rule, and not acknowledging His ownership of us and all we possess at all times, is the same as trying to serve two masters.
The Lord has warned us against covetousness and greed by explaining to us that our lives (true life) does not consist in, or we don't get life from our possessions.
Luke 12:15
[15] Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
Paul also explained to us that we should be content with what we have and not always be seeking for more. Again, we cannot serve two masters. The warnings are clear regarding the snare of covetousness and greed for possessions, which has caused some, who are taken with it, to fall into ruin.
1 Timothy 6:6-11 (
[6] But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
[7] For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
[8] If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
[9] But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
[10] For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
[11] But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
John also explained that to choose to love this world is allow ourselves to be emptied of our love for God.
1 John 2:15-17
[15] Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
[17] The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
When it is all said and done, every choice we make and every event in our lives, no matter how insignificant or small, requires our attention to be in tune with God, and watching our motives to see that they are consistent with our commitment to Him.
Being content to entrust our keeping to Him keeps us in a place of peace and contentment. Then, when we turn our keeping over to Him, we can be occupied with keeping up with His wishes and caring for His desires.
He takes care of us and we focus our full attention on Him.
Matthew 6:33-34
[33] "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
[34] "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Luke 16:14-17
[14] Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him.
[15] And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.
[16] "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
[17] "But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.
The Pharisees scoffed at the Lord, making fun at His comments about not being able to serve their own interest and God's at the same time. Because they were seeking for security in riches and status rather than obeying God and trusting Him for their future and provision.
He explained to them that they were concerned with their outward appearance, but God could see into their hearts. He knew their motives. What the people saw was not what He saw. His standard of measure was not the same as their's.
He told them that the old Covenant was ending and that all that the Law and the Prophets had told concerning the salvation of God was being fulfilled before their eyes, and He was the Gospel John had been proclaiming. He was the true way to God and they would do well to heed His warning and lay aside their greed and ambitions to build their own kingdoms, and use the same amount of energy to focus on following God and pressing into His kingdom.
They would find out sooner or later where they stood with God. God judged every man against His word and it wasn't going to change for them or anyone. In fact it was easier for the heavens and earth to pass away than for the Word of God to fail.
God's Kingdom would rule in the end, Pharisees! Get with His Program!
They were looking for the “big things” but all the while all the “small things” (actually, really big things) were being overlooked and passing them by.
Lord, please help us not to miss You in our everyday lives! Help us to be faithful to You in all that we do, no matter how insignificant it may seem to us at the time. ( Zec_4:10 )
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