From a very early age my parents taught me that your conduct with small things indicates your attitudes and likely performance with the big things in life. My dad would tell me, “How you treat your bicycle as a child is likely indicative how you’ll treat your car when you’re an adult.” I think, for the most part, this is true. The Bible acknowledges this very principle with the parable of the talents. The servant who was faithful over little was given more to manage (Matt. 25:23). The same principle applies regarding managing one’s household. If you can’t manage your own home (a little church), how will you be able to manage a congregation (a big church) (1 Tim. 3:4-5)? Despite the truth of these observations, many do not seem to recognize this principle in life.
Over the years I have observed a number of young men who have indicated their desire to pursue the ministry—this is a good thing. I have listened to their testimonies on the floor of presbytery as they have come under care. But I have then watched these same young men handle poorly some of the simplest tasks, such as arriving to class or church on time. Some of these young men have been chronically late to class. They come scurrying in five or more minutes after class has started, and they do the same for church. I can’t help but wonder, “Would they arrive on time if they were the pastor?” If they can’t arrive on time as a member, why would they arrive on time as the pastor? Some might respond, “As the pastor, they would recognize that they have to be on time, and the person would make the adjustment.” But why wait? Moreover, how many people will actually give a person the benefit of the doubt?
In other words, it may be true that as a person receives greater responsibility they will adjust their conduct as needed. But on the other hand, if a church pastoral search committee is interviewing three candidates, two of which arrive on time and have a reputation for arriving on time, then why would they take the risk of hiring the candidate who is chronically late?
Be faithful in the small things and you might be surprised who is watching and taking notice—they just might decide to trust you with the big things in life due to your care with the small things in life.
