Small Kindnesses And Small Beginnings

Your small kindnesses can yield big dividends.  And small beginnings can lead to important developments.  The Lord Jesus encouraged us to serve others, even in little ways, as it says here in Matthew 10:42  "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

Does the LORD also work in small ways, too?  Yes.  Well, does He *always* start small, raising leaders from obscurity?  Well, I don't know.  I know He can do whatever He wants to, and is not restricted by any rules or patterns we might think.  However, here are some examples from scripture and nature where the LORD started, or starts, small.

The natural example of all this is the seed, any seed, from grain or from the apple tree or an oak tree or any tree or the human body or any body.

He chose Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was a simple girl from the small town of Nazareth, and "everyone" at that time knew that nothing good could come from Nazareth.

Jesus, was born in a stable or cave or whatever it was, but it was not a palace, for sure.  And just think, He is the King of kings.

Joseph, first was a despised brother, then was a servant, then was a prisoner in Egypt, then became the effective leader of Egypt.

Gideon, from the smallest family of Manasseh, defeated the 132,000 Midianites with 300 men and no swords.

David, was a shepherd and was the youngest of his brothers, who wasn't even considered originally by his dad as a candidate for the kingly anointing from Samuel.

Daniel, was a slave in Babylon, then became number two in Babylon and also in Persia.

Queen Esther was in the Persian Empire, and saved her people from annihilation.

Jesus fed the 5000 and the 4000 from almost nothing - with leftovers remaining even!

Zechariah 4:10 says "For who has despised the day of small things?"  (Don't.)

Isaiah 61:3 says He gives us beauty for ashes.

Mark 4:30-32 says the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, but it becomes greater than all herbs.

Isaiah 54:1 says For more are the children of the desolate/barren than the children of the married.

Psalm 118:22 says The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

Now here is a blockbuster section of scripture that really puts us in our place.  But just remember as you read this, He loves you.

I Corinthians 1:25-29
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

No flesh will glory in His presence.  No flesh can glory in His presence!  Pride has no place in His presence!  And I really want to be in His presence.  And you do, too, I trust.

Paul the Apostle learned this truth in spades and expressed it this way:
II Corinthians 12:9 says  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Your small (to the point of being almost nothing) kindnesses can (dare I say will) yield big dividends, even if you never see these dividends - while in His presence.

Hallelujah!

Larry