Faithful in the Little Things

Being in college means you are likely preoccupied with the future. You’re making big decisions about your career, feeling the weight of major exams, and trying to figure out who you are and what you’re called to do. You can easily make the mistake of believing that a few monumental events will define your entire existence. What if, however, the most crucial lesson for your future has nothing to do with the significant events? What if it has to do with the minor, seemingly unimportant ones you're going through now?

 Our Lord made a strong statement that is centered on this idea. "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust in much," (Luke 16:10). This might initially seem like a good piece of advice. The truth about how God prepares us for the life He has planned for us, however, is truly revolutionary. It teaches us that taking small, consistent steps rather than one big leap will lead to a meaningful future. The "little things" serve as both a training ground and a test.

 In the life of a college student, what precisely are these "little things"? You can easily take them for granted because they are an integral part of your everyday life. Despite your fatigue and the fact that no one is checking, you have the option to complete the assigned reading for your 8 a.m. class. When you get the opportunity to look at a neighbor's paper during a quiz, it's the integrity you display. It's the self-control necessary to not spend the last $20 in your weekly budget or the consideration you give to a roommate who is annoying you. 

We often overlook these instances because we believe that God is only concerned with the "spiritual" aspects of our lives, such as Bible study and church attendance. However, this verse totally refutes that notion. God has entrusted you with your entire life. That trust encompasses your time, resources, friendships, and academic work. We are taking His gracious provision for granted when we disregard these areas. "This part of my life doesn't really matter to you," is what we're saying. The reason God places such importance on the small things is that faithfulness is a muscle that needs to be exercised. You can’t walk into a gym for the first time and immediately lift the heaviest weight. You must start small, with consistent practice, to build the strength and technique necessary for bigger challenges. 

Similarly, the consistency you develop by attending to your everyday obligations is what creates a character that can handle more. Why would God entrust you with more complicated spiritual truths if you can't be trusted with the syllabus for a class you dislike? How can you ever be trusted with the more significant duties of a family or a ministry team if you aren't faithful to the friendships in your dorm? The verse's reference to being "unjust in what is least" serves as a sobering reminder that ignoring minor details isn't innocuous; instead, it actively teaches us to be careless, forming a character that might not withstand the strain of more critical responsibilities. 

The homilies of St. John Chrysostom, who possessed a profound understanding of the human heart, offer a poignant echo of this lesson. "Don't judge a person's piety by his observance of the great precepts of the law alone, but by his observance of the little ones as well," he preached. This realization forces us to adopt a faith of integrated, everyday integrity rather than one of grand gestures. This means that for a college student, being a good person is not only about attending church every week; it's also about being pious in the library, being honest in the dining hall, and being patient in a crowded dorm. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that the shadows of our smallest decisions are the best indicators of our true character, not the limelight. 

In a similar vein, St. Augustine of Hippo issued a sobering caution regarding the cumulative peril of ignoring minor transgressions, which is directly related to the disregard for minor responsibilities. He famously penned, "Because if justice is absent from the little things of daily life, then no one can be deemed good for great deeds." Although the righteous do not commit major crimes, they can gradually transition into major ones by committing minor sins that are ignored. St. Augustine's wisdom exposes the slippery slope. Luke 16:10's reference to the "unjust in what is least" is a trajectory rather than a fixed state. A pattern of academic indifference may develop from the neglected reading assignment. The foundation of trust can be undermined by telling a friend a "white lie." According to Augustine, being obedient in the little things is a defensive spiritual practice that protects our hearts from a slow deterioration that could lead us to lose sight of our purpose. 

The beauty of this principle lies in the fact that it elevates your entire college experience. It transforms even the most routine chores into worthwhile practice. It's not just a chore to complete that dull general education requirement; it's an opportunity to develop time management skills and mental stewardship. Working on a group project with an untrustworthy partner is more than just a grade; it's a lesson in honesty, perseverance, and doing your best work, even when it's unfair. Managing your tight budget is a practical exercise in trusting in God. 

Nothing is wasted when you begin to view your life through this lens. Every decision turns into a building block. Your calling is present in the lecture hall, the library, and your dorm room, and you stop waiting for a big, spiritual calling "someday" to come. The verse's promise is thus revealed: being faithful in small things leads to being trusted with "much." It is crucial to recognize that this "much" does not necessarily translate to a higher salary or greater recognition. In God's economy, the "much" refers to greater ability, power, and closeness to Him. It may manifest as a deeper spiritual understanding, opportunities to lead and help others, or the innate confidence that comes from knowing your life is based on integrity. 

The most satisfying affirmation anyone could hear encapsulates the ultimate realization of this principle. "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:21) This verse represents the glorious end of Luke 16:10's journey. It attests to the fact that God's system of promotion is founded on demonstrated faithfulness. Observe that the servant is praised for being faithful rather than for having intelligence, wealth, or a well-known track record. The little things of our everyday routine—the very things we are tempted to ignore—are the few things. Intimate communion with God Himself is the promise, not merely increased responsibility. This is the "much" that faithfulness opens up—a greater portion of God's joy and life. 

You don't have to figure out your whole life right now. All you have to do is be faithful to the next "little thing" that comes up. Examine the upcoming 24 hours. Things like having that difficult conversation, committing to a study group you would rather avoid, and taking ten minutes to pray before doom-scrolling. God is actively preparing you on that hallowed ground. Your future is influenced by more than just the significant choices you will make in the future. Brick by brick, it is being constructed by faithfully managing every small item that God has so kindly entrusted to your care.