The Importance of Little Things
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Mat. 10:42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Mat. 10:42
Every reader of the Gospel knows the stress which our Lord put on little things. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted men and things of low degree. Things that to other people seemed important had often little importance in His eyes. Things that to others seemed of trifling value were often things of magnitude to Him. He had a scale of values all His own. Think, for instance, of this cup of water. Was not that a very trifling service? Could anyone refuse a cup of water to the thirsty beggar at the door? Yet a cup of water and a widow's mite and a kiss of welcome to the entering guest—all these meant a great deal to the Lord.
And not only is this true of life; it is true also of His view of nature. Our Lord had an eye for the trifling things of nature, and found in them His parables and poems. Most of Jesus' teaching of the people was through stories, and parables, he knew how to reach the heart of his listeners, whether friend, or foe.
Some commentary notes from the Biblical Illustrator below, bring clarity to Jesus words in this verse:
Life Is a Bundle of Little Things
One sees the divine wisdom of this outlook when one thinks how life is compact of little things. "Life is not a little bundle of big things, but a big bundle of little things." Reflect on the story of a day, and what a multitude of little things composes it. From the time we waken till we go to rest, we are engaged in a thousand trifling tasks. And this is as true of the greatest of mankind, who lead humanity in thought and action, as of the rest of us who are but common clay. Great hours come to us but rarely; common hours are with us all the time. Great hours reveal our possibilities; common hours reveal our consecration. And for our Lord the usual was the big thing, because the usual is nine-tenths of life, and sets the field for triumph or defeat.
The Common Little Things Are the Source of Happiness
Again, one must remember how much of our happiness depends on trifling things. It takes many of us years to learn that lesson. Professor Leckie tells of a writer who was engaged in some stupendous task. After years of labor it was ended, and he entered into the joy of finished work. But the joy so given was not half so great, he said, as the joy he got from the little pattering footsteps of some children whom he had taught to love him. "Give me health and a day," said Emerson, "and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous." It is the common things open to us all which are the secret and the source of happiness—the breath of June, the clasp of trusty hands, the eyes which answer ours across the crowd, the lowly service of a cup of water. That explains the emphasis of Jesus. He exposed the fallacy of rarity. He altogether revised the scale of bigness, because He so perfectly understood the heart. Christ has proved equal to the demands of life because, in a great love which comprehends, He recognized the magnitude of trifles.
Trifling Things Are Truest Service
One finds, too, in watching life observantly, how trifling things are often truest service. Nobody knew that better than the Lord. A well-known writer who fell into vile sin tells us how he plucked up heart again. It was because when "down and out" a passing stranger lifted his hat to him. And then one thinks of drunken John B. Gough, and how a friend laid his hand upon his shoulder—and that touch, that trifling touch of brotherhood, lit the star of hope for him again. Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not. To neglect the trifle is to miss the triumph. A tiny snowflake is as exquisitely beautiful as all the splendid pageantry of sunrise. It is one of the wonderful things about our Savior that He recognized this with such perfect clearness—and the servant is not greater than his Lord.
This verse opens up in clear simple terms, what Jesus considers important, and values-and what He considers worthy of reward. This worlds estimate of what is honorable, respectable, and gains status doesn't fit into this verse. Another that would be a fitting way to expand on this:
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
People like to trumpet their good works, but, they will try to do it with subtilty, hoping for people's attention, and applause. But, that's the reason they do it, that is all the reward they will receive, in this life and the world to come.
Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
So, if you watch anyone looking for attention and praise for the good works they may be doing, and see that it's working; and it's gaining them higher positions among people, and their place of work, don't be envious. God knows people's hearts; not only what they are doing, but why. God will sift people's motives, and judge accordingly. Those who look for the praise of men and flaunt their giving, donating, and good works will be very surprised when they stand before God, who knows our hearts.
It's better to give in silence-and let the world think what it wishes, even if you get accused of not giving, or not enough, when you know they are wrong. God knows what your doing, and how. Let the peace of God rest in your heart, and let the world think what it wants. If God see's and knows, that's all that matters. If you send donations without anyone knowing, hold a door open for an elderly person, give someone homeless something to help them get a meal for the day, take someone to an appointment, and take time out of your day to help someone get something done, with an honest heart-Jesus is marking that down, it's recorded in heaven.
Never allow the world to judge your walk with the Lord, let the word of God, and the Holy Spirit be your guide, and let God direct your path.
Lorna Couillard
Mat 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
And not only is this true of life; it is true also of His view of nature. Our Lord had an eye for the trifling things of nature, and found in them His parables and poems. Most of Jesus' teaching of the people was through stories, and parables, he knew how to reach the heart of his listeners, whether friend, or foe.
Some commentary notes from the Biblical Illustrator below, bring clarity to Jesus words in this verse:
Life Is a Bundle of Little Things
One sees the divine wisdom of this outlook when one thinks how life is compact of little things. "Life is not a little bundle of big things, but a big bundle of little things." Reflect on the story of a day, and what a multitude of little things composes it. From the time we waken till we go to rest, we are engaged in a thousand trifling tasks. And this is as true of the greatest of mankind, who lead humanity in thought and action, as of the rest of us who are but common clay. Great hours come to us but rarely; common hours are with us all the time. Great hours reveal our possibilities; common hours reveal our consecration. And for our Lord the usual was the big thing, because the usual is nine-tenths of life, and sets the field for triumph or defeat.
The Common Little Things Are the Source of Happiness
Again, one must remember how much of our happiness depends on trifling things. It takes many of us years to learn that lesson. Professor Leckie tells of a writer who was engaged in some stupendous task. After years of labor it was ended, and he entered into the joy of finished work. But the joy so given was not half so great, he said, as the joy he got from the little pattering footsteps of some children whom he had taught to love him. "Give me health and a day," said Emerson, "and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous." It is the common things open to us all which are the secret and the source of happiness—the breath of June, the clasp of trusty hands, the eyes which answer ours across the crowd, the lowly service of a cup of water. That explains the emphasis of Jesus. He exposed the fallacy of rarity. He altogether revised the scale of bigness, because He so perfectly understood the heart. Christ has proved equal to the demands of life because, in a great love which comprehends, He recognized the magnitude of trifles.
Trifling Things Are Truest Service
One finds, too, in watching life observantly, how trifling things are often truest service. Nobody knew that better than the Lord. A well-known writer who fell into vile sin tells us how he plucked up heart again. It was because when "down and out" a passing stranger lifted his hat to him. And then one thinks of drunken John B. Gough, and how a friend laid his hand upon his shoulder—and that touch, that trifling touch of brotherhood, lit the star of hope for him again. Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not. To neglect the trifle is to miss the triumph. A tiny snowflake is as exquisitely beautiful as all the splendid pageantry of sunrise. It is one of the wonderful things about our Savior that He recognized this with such perfect clearness—and the servant is not greater than his Lord.
This verse opens up in clear simple terms, what Jesus considers important, and values-and what He considers worthy of reward. This worlds estimate of what is honorable, respectable, and gains status doesn't fit into this verse. Another that would be a fitting way to expand on this:
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
People like to trumpet their good works, but, they will try to do it with subtilty, hoping for people's attention, and applause. But, that's the reason they do it, that is all the reward they will receive, in this life and the world to come.
Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
So, if you watch anyone looking for attention and praise for the good works they may be doing, and see that it's working; and it's gaining them higher positions among people, and their place of work, don't be envious. God knows people's hearts; not only what they are doing, but why. God will sift people's motives, and judge accordingly. Those who look for the praise of men and flaunt their giving, donating, and good works will be very surprised when they stand before God, who knows our hearts.
It's better to give in silence-and let the world think what it wishes, even if you get accused of not giving, or not enough, when you know they are wrong. God knows what your doing, and how. Let the peace of God rest in your heart, and let the world think what it wants. If God see's and knows, that's all that matters. If you send donations without anyone knowing, hold a door open for an elderly person, give someone homeless something to help them get a meal for the day, take someone to an appointment, and take time out of your day to help someone get something done, with an honest heart-Jesus is marking that down, it's recorded in heaven.
Never allow the world to judge your walk with the Lord, let the word of God, and the Holy Spirit be your guide, and let God direct your path.
Lorna Couillard
Mat 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
