Is it enough to believe in God from the comfort of our sofa at home, without it demanding anything at all of us? Or does God actually expect us to put our abilities, our time and our ‘yes’ on the line – even in the very close and seemingly insignificant things? That is the central question around which this teaching revolves.
Many Christians chase after the big experiences – the spectacular healings, the mighty deliverances, the striking testimonies. But God’s way is not always the way our minds desire. All too often, this pursuit ends in burnout or pride, and that is precisely where one loses what one was seeking. Andreas Slot-Henriksen teaches here about what it actually means to be faithful in small things – and why it is a prerequisite for being entrusted with more.
The starting point is taken from the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. Here, a master entrusts his servants with various sums of money before he goes abroad. Two of them trade with the money and double it. The third buries his talent in the ground out of fear. When the master returns, he rewards the two faithful servants with the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful in small matters, I will entrust you with much. Come and share your master’s joy!” But the lazy servant is punished. The parable emphasises that God does not reward passivity – He expects us to use what He has given us.
Being faithful in small matters is not just about spiritual tasks. It is about discipline, responsibility and honesty in everyday life. It is about turning up on time, keeping your appointments, doing your work thoroughly – even when no one is watching. A concrete example from the teaching is a man who vacuums but deliberately skips the corners because he doesn’t think they are dirty enough. He is not responsible. He is not doing it for the Lord, but for himself. It is precisely this kind of thoughtless half-heartedness that prevents us from being entrusted with more.
It is also about honesty. White lies used to save face break trust – both with people and with God. If you live one life on the outside and another on the inside, you are not faithful. The plank in your own eye must be removed before you can help others with the speck in theirs. Authenticity is not a soft concept – it is a prerequisite for walking with God.
Faithfulness also means not giving up, even when it is uncomfortable. An episode from street evangelism illustrates this perfectly: a prayer for a phone that wasn’t working apparently came to nothing. It was embarrassing and felt like overstepping the mark. But three weeks earlier, prayers had been offered for a young woman named Anne Louise – and now, as she sought intercession for her desperate situation, trust was present because faithfulness had been demonstrated in the small and uncomfortable things.
The Gospel of Mark tells of the poor widow who put two small coins into the temple treasury – all she possessed. Jesus singles her out precisely over the rich, who merely gave from their abundance. She made a sacrifice. It was not a lump of gold – it was all she had. And it is that kind of faithfulness and willingness to sacrifice that God sees and rejoices in.
The scope of responsibility is broad. It extends into the family – if one is bitter and harsh behind closed doors, yet gentle and spiritual on the outside, one is not living in accordance with one’s calling. It extends into the congregation – one cannot ask others to bear responsibilities that one has oneself neglected. It extends to non-believers – the spiritual fruit you bear shines for others and can open the doors to the Gospel. Indeed, the teaching tells us that people at health fairs can sense a different kind of peace and a different kind of light in those who walk with God.
The parable of the ten virgins emphasises the same point: responsibility is not something you can borrow from others at the last minute. The five wise virgins did not share their oil – not because they were unkind, but because it would have extinguished both parties’ lamps. God’s Word demands that we be prepared – and that requires us to have made our own provisions.
At its core, this is about a relationship with God. That He desires faithfulness from us, as in a marriage – mutual responsibility, mutual respect and love. The fear of the Lord spoken of in Scripture is not a fearful dread, but a reverence – a deep realisation that He sees everything, and that nothing is hidden. It is precisely this reverence that holds us to accountability and holiness. And it is this that opens the way for Him to entrust us with more and more.
Quote from the teaching: “When God gives us something, He gives us the responsibility – and if we cannot manage to clean and sweep the corners because no one is watching, how can we be faithful in the big things?”
Relevant keywords: faith in small things – faithfulness – responsibility – discipleship – the parable of the talents – biblical leadership – giving from one’s poverty – white lies – sanctification – the poor widow – God’s calling – obedience – spiritual growth – evangelism – the Kingdom of God
