Resources/Articles
The "Small Stuff"
“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water...” (Matthew 10.42). A cup of water means a lot to someone who is burning up from being out in scorching heat for a couple of hours. What would a short phone call do for the heart of a lonely elderly person? What could holding an infant do for a young mother who is struggling to keep three other small children quiet during worship services? What a wonderful thing it would be to take a single college student, whose family lives miles away, to the doctor’s office.
We often think we need to make a “big impression” on others for it to “really matter” - even for God to notice. Realistically, we cannot do the “big things” over time, but we can do the little things. Those small things add up to something greater than one “big thing.”
We must understand some things about small things: It takes time to do them and they need to be repeated frequently. Ephesians 5.15-16 says, “Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” It is our fast-paced culture which has kept us from seeing the big picture of small things. We need to pause often and give disciple attention in the least of things. It was Jesus who said, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me” (Matthew 25.40).
Do not sweat the “small stuff” as a Christian. Do the small things. It is the glue which holds your faith in line with what pleases God. Your neighbor will appreciate it, and Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13.35).
