WHEN GOD TRUSTS YOU WITH LITTLE. 

This topic appeared interesting when it first came to me.

I kept thinking, “Lord, how do I go about this? How do You want me to build on this?”

And God helped me put these thoughts together.

So I bring this word to encourage anyone like me who is, or has ever been, at a place where it felt like nothing was working, or where our efforts were not yielding the desired results.

With God, little does not remain little.

With God, little becomes much — and much more.

It is actually as simple as that.

Jesus said:

“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 NIV

This tells me immediately that God is interested in how we handle whatever He has placed in our hands, whether little or much. But it is often the little we steward faithfully that becomes much.

God measures faithfulness in small things before releasing greater things.

When what we have appears little, we should not grumble or complain. Instead, we should give thanks in anticipation of what God is able to do.

When Jesus gave thanks for the little boy’s lunch of bread and fish, it was multiplied beyond imagination.

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”  Luke 9:16–17 NIV

Even in our little, we should still show gratitude.

It could always be worse — but for the grace of God.

Scripture also tells us:

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”. Zechariah 4:10 NLT

We must learn to honour God with what we already have in our hands. It might look small to us but God is the One who adds the increase.

Scripture is also not shy about promising us a greater latter end:

“And though you started with little, you will end with much.”. Job 8:7 NLT

The above scripture always makes me very hopeful. And I trust God that my hopes will NEVER be dashed.

Starting with little can feel annoying, depressing, and frustrating. But we must rise above every emotion that has the power to pull us into discouragement and stagnation.

David’s brothers treated him with contempt and spoke to him harshly, but he honestly could not care less. He remained faithful while tending the “few” sheep entrusted to him.

“But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. ‘What are you doing around here anyway?’ he demanded. ‘What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!’  ‘What have I done now?’ David replied. ‘I was only asking a question!’ He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer.”  1 Samuel 17:28–30 NLT

Yet hidden within the tending of those few sheep was preparation for Goliath.

When the bear and the lion came against his flock, David did not abandon them and walk away becauae they were few. He protected them at the risk of his own life.

Small assignments are divine preparation, and hidden seasons often develop our character for the next level.

David was faithful with a few sheep, and eventually God entrusted him with the throne of a whole nation; Israel.

Joseph also went through betrayal, rejection, and slavery at the hands of his own brothers. Yet he remained faithful in Potiphar’s house and faithful in prison before God elevated him to become ruler in Egypt.

God is paying attention to our stewardship.

Indeed, little in God’s hands is never insignificant.

I describe it as a setup for a higher calling.

That small assignment, hidden responsibility, modest beginning, or seemingly insignificant opportunity may very well be God’s preparation for our “much more.”. 

I am reminded of the song by Alvin Slaughter, “That’s When”

It is a beautiful reminder that God has always used ordinary things, ordinary people, and small beginnings to accomplish extraordinary purposes.

When surrendered to Him, little never remains little.

With God, little never remains little.

 

OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©