Matthew 25 vs 21: His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (ESV)
A couple of years ago, the church that I attended embarked on a fundraising drive called “Five cents for Jesus”. The concept was simple – church members were asked to bring all their five cent coins to church and deposit them into a large plastic bottle beside the pulpit. The team in charge of the church finances would then take them to the bank for depositing into our church account. Every Sunday church members would deposit their five cent pieces (mostly attained through grocery shopping) into the bottle.
In the first couple of weeks, the bottle filled up rather quickly but then it slowed down as people ran out of five cent pieces…
Strange as it may seem, it was at this time that I began to see five cent coins lying on the walkways and in the parking areas of shopping malls I frequented. I’d find at least one each time I went shopping… But here was the challenge! I’d feel this powerful urge to pick the coin up for the collection bottle, but each time I’d just leave it and go on walking because it seemed so embarrassing to pick up such an insignificant little coin. What if someone saw me? What would they think? That I was poor and desperate?
This internal battle continued for weeks until I finally overcame my pride and picked up my first five cent coin at a shopping mall. Thereafter, I continued to do so every time I saw one. And when I’d gathered a batch, I’d deposit them into the bottle at church. And God just provided the five cent coins! All I had to do was bend over and pick them up. Although I must admit that I was really embarrassed one day when an old lady stopped me. Thinking that I was desperate and destitute, she quickly opened her purse and offered me money. But I graciously declined and explained the purpose of my little exercise.
A year later, I began to discover ten cent coins. Strangely enough, the five cent coins had disappeared and in their place were ten cent coins. And the following year, the ten cent coins were miraculously replaced by twenty cent coins and on some occasions even R1 coins…
As I lay in bed a couple of mornings ago, everything that I’ve shared above just came to mind followed by the words “Be faithful in the little things, and God will give you more…” As the words seemed familiar, I Googled them and found Matthew 25 vs 21. I believe that our Heavenly Father tests our obedience and faithfulness through the “tasks” that He gives to us. When we are available and obedient to do even the small, seemingly insignificant things, despite the challenges or discouragements that come our way, He will entrust us with more.
God bless and All for Jesus!