About three years ago, I had a friend within FCA share this truth with me: “Be faithful in what God has started in you, and you will be trusted with more!”
This was pretty revolutionary to me in the moment. I had just started this new ministry and was slightly overwhelmed with all the ideas I had and the pressure I felt from wanting to do what God wanted me to do. To me, that meant I couldn’t make any mistakes or choose any wrong paths. I had to be flawless so that I could get exactly where God wanted me to go. And I had to achieve those lofty goals I had created for myself.
This small phrase really put things into perspective. It was the lightbulb that I needed that continues to guide me to this day. And now I share the same truth with others when they are struggling with what God wants them to do or if they’re feeling overwhelmed with all the choices in front of them.
Being “faithful with little” comes from the parable of the talents (wages). Jesus tells of a man who entrusts three of his servants with some bags of gold while he goes away. The first and second servants made use of their gold and both gained twice as much as they originally started with. However, the third servant was afraid. He didn’t want to squander his master’s money, so he simply hid the bag of gold. When the master came back and found out what the first two servants had done, he told each of them, “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!” The third servant, however, was reprimanded and called wicked and lazy.
This hits me hard. I know that there are so many gifts God has given both myself and the rest of the world. I believe that sometimes we find ourselves paralyzed and afraid, just like that third servant. We don’t know what to do with what God has given us, so we simply choose the worst option: we hide our gifts and do nothing. Whatever it was that God instilled in us in order to glorify Him and bring others to His saving power, we squander and suppress. Why? Because we are too scared. Too uncomfortable. Too complacent. Too lazy.
But in order to receive this blessing from God, this “Well done, good and faithful servant,” it’s really much simpler than we think. When we’re just beginning this journey with God, He doesn’t entrust us with too much. It’s just those couple bags of gold that the first servant received. And our only job is to be a good steward with whatever it is we have received. Don’t hide your gifts from the world. Rather, embrace them and trust God to use them to bring both yourself and others closer to Him.
Practically, all we have to do is be committed to being faithful with whatever God has put in front of us each day. We can make goals for the future, yes, but realize those baby steps you have to take every day to achieve those goals. If you want to be a missionary, figure out what you need to do, and go do it—every day. If you want to be a youth leader, figure out what you need to do, and go do it—every day. And if you’re not sure where God is calling you to next, figure out what would glorify him JUST today, and go do it—every day.
Aligning ourselves with God’s will, like everything else, takes time and practice. If we’re too afraid or lazy to step outside our comfort zone and take baby steps toward our goals, we will be called nothing but wicked and lazy servants. Especially during this uncertain time, we need to be even more focused on individual moments and tasks that can continue propelling us in the right direction.
Be faithful with what God has put in front of you today, and slowly you will see Him begin to entrust you with more.