“ Jesus defines success as being faithful in a few things.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 21, 2025
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. Matthew 25:21, ESV
Jesus defines success as being faithful in a few things. What…really? In a culture that rewards and elevates hyperactivity and superhuman productivity, our Savior Jesus is unimpressed, as He clarifies that His reward is focused faithfulness. Jesus flips this script entirely. “Faithful in a few things”—these words cut through our cultural noise like a quiet revolution. While we’re scrambling to prove our worth through busyness, He’s watching for something different: depth over breadth, quality over quantity. The master doesn’t promote the servant who managed five different ventures poorly, but the one who stewarded what he had with excellence. Jesus isn’t impressed by our exhaustion or our packed calendars. He’s looking for people who can tend well to small projects before being trusted with complex deals. Success, in His economy, is measured not by how much we accumulate or accomplish, but by how faithfully we cultivate what’s already in our hands. Faithfulness with a few things invites in God’s many gifts of grace.
In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells the story of a wealthy merchant who, in preparation for his business trip, gathers his most trusted servants—those who have worked in his household and know his ways. To each, he distributes a portion of his wealth—not as a gift, but as a test. One receives five talents, another two, and the third just one. “Trade with these until I come back.” These are the master’s instructions. Then he departs, leaving them with nothing but their judgment, their character, and this weighty responsibility. Months pass. Two of the servants dive into the work—buying, selling, negotiating, and taking calculated risks. They understand that faithfulness doesn’t mean having a perfect plan but working a plan; it means multiplying what they’ve been given. The third servant, paralyzed by fear, does nothing. It’s not just about the money, of course. It’s about recognizing that everything we have—our abilities, our opportunities, our very lives—comes to us as a trust. And faithfulness isn’t measured by the size of what we’re given, but by what we do with it. Faithfulness in a few things increases influence.
Consider the mother who chooses to be fully present during bedtime stories rather than scrolling her phone—her children grow up feeling deeply valued. The teacher who learns every student’s name and remembers their struggles—she watches quiet kids blossom into confident speakers. The friend who shows up consistently, not with fanfare but with reliability—he becomes the person others call in crisis. There’s the small business owner who perfects her craft rather than chasing every trend—customers become loyal advocates who spread her reputation. The married couple who do the hard work of relational repair. These people aren’t changing the world in headlines, but they’re significantly changing their corner of it. Their faithfulness in small things creates ripple effects: trust deepens, influence expands naturally, and opportunities arrive unbidden. They discover that mastering the few things leads to a kind of success that can’t be manufactured—only cultivated. What are the few things your Heavenly Father has for you?
Prayer
Lord, help me be faithful with the small tasks You entrust to me. Teach me to serve with joy and diligence, trusting You to multiply my obedience for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Where is the Lord calling you to be faithful in a few things? What things do you need to stop doing to free up time for the few?
Related Reading
Proverbs 28:20; Zechariah 4:10; Luke 16:10; 1 Corinthians 4:2
Worship Resource
Jonathan and Melissa Helser: Find Me
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