Articles
Small Things
When Naaman the leper went to Elisha to be healed, he thought he knew how things ought to go. But the prophet’s instructions were not according to Naaman’s preconceived plan, so he went away in a rage. “Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, ‘My Father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash and be clean’?’” (2 Kings 5:13). Naaman changed his mind, obeyed, and was cleansed.
When the remnant of Israel returned and laid the foundation of the temple, some cried (Ezra 3:12), evidently because this house paled in comparison to Solomon’s temple. Even the prophet Haggai acknowledged that it “seemed like nothing” (2:3). But God asked through Zechariah, “Who has despised the day of small things?” (4:10).
And so it goes. We tend to think big, equating bigger with better. Bigger corporations occupy bigger buildings in bigger cities. We want to live in bigger houses and drive bigger cars.
This concept of bigness has also affected our religion, even beyond building bigger meeting houses. Some people act as though truth is determined by the number of adherents a doctrine has. “Surely that many people could not be wrong!”
Among our brethren this concept has taken its toll. Many of the organizational problems of the past two centuries have been the result of too much focus on bigness. Some have argued that organizational ties between congregations such as the “sponsoring church” arrangement are necessary if we are to “compete” with sectarian churches. Whatever program or gimmick that will attract a crowd is welcomed. We have been duped into measuring success by numbers, thus falling prey to every innovation that promises “more” or “better.”
Even in our personal service we sometimes undervalue the small things: a “cup of cold water” (Matthew 10:42), a visit to the sick, a word of encouragement, a good example, etc. Yet these are the things we are to be busy doing. They will accumulate to bring about the result God intends. Souls are saved one at a time. Plant the seed when and where you can, water it when and where you can, and give it time to grow.
Jesus taught this important lesson in a “small” parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32). Strictly speaking the mustard seed is not the smallest of seeds, but it is proverbially so. From this tiny beginning grows a plant that reaches ten or twelve feet tall.
God’s kingdom had a small beginning, compared to those of the world. 3,000 followers made up the initial group. But it grew. Jesus’ kingdom in any locality will do the same thing when its citizens do the small things He has commanded. Do not underestimate what you can contribute to the cause. Do not be discouraged with less than spectacular results. Do not despise the day of small things.
