Luke 16:10 - Whoever Is Unfaithful In Little Things Will Be Unfaithful In Larger Ones.
Luke 16:10 - Whoever Is Unfaithful In Little Things Will Be
Unfaithful In Larger Ones.
Luke 16:10 (TNIV) "Whoever can be trusted with very little can
also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little
will also be dishonest with much.
Luke 16:10 (NLT) "If you are faithful in little things, you will
be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little
things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.
Luke 16:10 (MSG) Jesus went on to make these comments: If you're
honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things;
Luke 16:10 (CWR) Whoever can be trusted with little can also be
trusted with much, and the person who is dishonest in secular things
will also be dishonest in spiritual things.
CONTEXT: The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (16:1-15).
APPLICATION COMMENTARY WITH EMPHASIS ON VERSE 10
God created man after His own likeness, free from sin. The earth
was to be peopled with beings only a little lower than the angels;
but their obedience must be tested; for God would not permit the
world to be filled with those who would disregard His law. Yet, in His
great mercy, He appointed Adam no severe test. And the very lightness
of the prohibition made the sin exceedingly great. If Adam could
not bear the smallest of tests, he could not have endured a greater
trial had he been entrusted with higher responsibilities. PP60, 61
The secret of life's success is in a careful, conscientious
attention to the little things. God makes the simple leaf, the tiny
flower, the blade of grass, with as much care as He creates a world.
The symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful character is built
up by individual acts of duty. All should learn to be faithful in
the least as well as in the greatest duty. Their work cannot bear
the inspection of God unless it is found to include a faithful,
diligent, economical care for the little things...
It is transgression in the little things that first leads the
soul away from God. By their one sin in partaking of the forbidden
fruit, Adam and Eve opened the floodgates of woe upon the world. Some
may regard that transgression as a very little thing, but we see
that its consequences were anything but small...
Those who do not overcome in little things will have no moral
power to withstand greater temptations. 4T572-4
Nothing with which we have to do is really small. Every action
is of some account, either on the side of right or on the side of
wrong. It is only by exercising principle in small transactions of
ordinary life that we are tested and our characters formed. In the
varied circumstances of life we are tested and proved, and thereby we
acquire a power to stand the greater and more important tests that we
are called to endure, and are qualified to fill still more important
positions. The mind must be retrained through daily tests to habits of
fidelity, to a sense of the claims of right and duty above inclination and
pleasure. Minds thus trained do not waver between right and wrong, as the
reed trembles in the wind; but as soon as matters come before them,
they discern at once that principle is involved, and they
instinctively choose the right without long debating the matter. They are
loyal because they have trained themselves in habits of faithfulness
and truth. By being faithful in that which is least, they acquire
strength, and it becomes easy for them to be faithful in greater matters.
PP222 or 3T22
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also
in much." Luke 16:10. The importance of the little things is often
underrated because they are small; but they supply much of the actual
discipline of life. There are really no nonessentials in the Christian's
life. Our character building will be full of peril while we underrate
the importance of the little things. {COL 356.1}
"He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." By
unfaithfulness in even the smallest duties, man robs his Maker of the service
which is His due. This unfaithfulness reacts upon himself. He fails of
gaining the grace, the power, the force of character, which may be
received through an unreserved surrender to God. Living apart from Christ
he is subject to Satan's temptations, and he makes mistakes in his
work for the Master. Because he is not guided by right principles in
little things, he fails to obey God in the great matters which he
regards as his special work. The defects cherished in dealing with
life's minor details pass into more important affairs. He acts on the
principles to which he has accustomed himself. Thus actions repeated form
habits, habits form character, and by the character our destiny for time
and for eternity is decided. {COL 356.2}
Brethren, I entreat you to move with an eye single to the glory
of God. Let His power be your dependence, His grace your strength.
By study of the Scriptures and earnest prayer seek to obtain clear
conceptions of your duty, and then faithfully perform it. It is essential
that you cultivate faithfulness in little things, and in so doing you
will acquire habits of integrity in greater responsibilities. The
little incidents of everyday life often pass without our notice, but it
is these things that shape the character. Every event of life is
great for good or for evil. The mind needs to be trained by daily
tests, that it may acquire power to stand in any difficult position.
{4T 561.1}
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also
in much."
It is conscientious attention to what the world terms "little
things" that makes life a success. Little deeds of charity, little acts
of self-denial, speaking simple words of helpfulness, watching
against little sins, - this is Christianity. A grateful acknowledgment
of daily blessings, a wise improvement of daily opportunities, a
diligent cultivation of intrusted talents, - this is what the Master
calls for.
He who faithfully performs small duties will be prepared to
answer the demands of larger responsibilities. MYP143
It is the little things of life that develop the spirit and
determine the character. Those who neglect the little things will not be
prepared to endure severe tests when they are brought to bear upon them.
Remember that the character building is not finished till life ends.
Every day a good or a bad brick is placed in the structure. You are
either building crookedly or with the exactness and correctness that
will make a beautiful temple for God. Therefore, in looking for great
things to do, neglect not the little opportunities that come to you day
by day. He who neglects the little things, and yet flatters himself
that he is ready to do wonderful things for the Master, is in danger
of failing altogether. Life is made up, not of great sacrifices and
wonderful achievements, but of little things. RH12-29-10
Our integrity is often put on the line in money matters. God
calls us to be honest even in small details we could easily ignore.
Heaven's riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. But if we are
not trustworthy with our money here (no matter how much or little we
have), we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of God's Kingdom. See
that you maintain your integrity in all matters, whether big or
small. [Life Application SB]
Each day we make decisions about matters that seem small. If a
cashier gives us too much change, it may be only a few cents, but the
larger issue is honesty. Our use of time in the workplace may not seem
all that important, but the larger issues are integrity and loyalty.
It's how we handle the "small" details of life that define our
character. God wants us to be faithful stewards, not just with resources
such as our time, money, or talent, but in our work ethic, our
business dealings, and in everyday details that affect others. The
steward in the parable Jesus told in Luke 16 was not diligent with his
employer's money until he realized that he might lose his job and be forced
to beg. His irresponsibility became relevant only when it affected
him. In today's society, honesty and diligence are respected but not
expected. Many people consider cheating a little, especially if it
advances your cause, a small matter. But God calls us to a higher
standard. Take a moment and examine your life. What type of steward are
you when no one is watching? Are you diligent in the small matters
as well as in the large? Expose your heart to the searchlight of
God's Spirit and truth, and ask him to make you faithful in the little
so that he will be able to trust you with bigger responsibilities
and larger territory in his kingdom,
Dear God, sometimes I think that the little things don't
matter much until I remember that even if no one else notices, they
matter to you. Help me to define honesty and loyalty by your Word
rather than the way society sees them. A temporary reward gained from
laziness or dishonesty is not worth the loss of integrity, and that's
enough reason for me to be a faithful steward. [Praying Through The
Bible By Fuller re Luke 16:10]
God rewards those who are faithful. Throughout your life God
will seek to grow you in your faith. He will continually bring you to
times when you must trust Him. He will lead you into situations that
require a "little" faith, and if you are faithful, He will then take you
into situations that require even greater trust in Him. Each time you
are able to trust God at a higher level, God will reveal more of
Himself to you. Your faith and experiencing God are directly linked.
The best way to tell if you are prepared for a greater
revelation of God is to see how faithful you have been with what God has
given you. This is a foundational principle in God's relationships
with us: If you have been faithful with the little He has given you,
you are ready to be entrusted with more. If you failed to trust God
with the little He gave you, He will not trust you with more. God
will not lead you beyond your present level of trust and obedience to
Him. He will return you to your area of unfaithfulness until you are
prepared to trust Him. The children of Israel were unwilling to trust God
to lead them into the Promised Land, and their generation never
again was able to move forward with Him.
You stand at an exciting new door of opportunity to know God
more intimately every time you believe Him. Every step of faith leads
you to a deeper relationship of faith with Him. It is an open
invitation to know God more intimately. [Experiencing God Day by Day by
Henry and Richard Blackaby re Luk. 16:10]
Faithfulness in little things is a big thing. Saint John
Chrysostom (ca. 347-407)
Be faithful where God plants you and watch what He does. [Life
Principles SB By Charles Stanley re Luke 16:10]
CROSS REFERENCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
Matthew 25:21 "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. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Luke 19:17 "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied.
'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of
ten cities.'
Grace Notes:
http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php
A Better Way to Live:
http://www.itiswritten.com/betterway/
Excellent Spiritual Resource Site:
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/
More Spiritual Resources:
http://www.aBible.com
