Recently I have observed this phenomenon: there is an inverse relationship between dreaming great visions and faithfulness in the little things. The people who have the grandest, most sweeping plans and strategies for the future are likely to be unreliable and untrustworthy in the smaller, short-term tasks and responsibilities. They talk about the great things they want to achieve for God in the years to come, but right now they tend to drop the ball in significant ways.
What is behind this? It could just be a generational thing: I am a grumpy ‘Generation X-er’ and I’m basically talking about people in Generation Y (aka the spoilt brat generation). Or it could just be the fickle visionary dreaming of youth.
All of this might be true, but it doesn’t excuse unreliability and lack of faithfulness in the small things. Jesus is clear in Matthew 25:21 that faithfulness will be rewarded:
“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.”
If you want to achieve great things for God, start by doing the little things well now. Turn up when you say you will. Follow through on your commitments. Finish the tasks set before you. Prove yourself to be reliable.
There are two mindshifts that we need to make on this point:
1. We need to remember that ministry is about godliness, not gifts. Giftedness can deceive. It is a wonderful thing, but we should never mistake giftedness for godliness. The core skill for ministry is the sort of servant-mindedness that is willing to do the unnoticed and unattractive jobs, and work with the hard people.
2. Jesus Christ will judge your ministry. That is both a warning and an encouragement. It is a warning because Jesus Christ will judge your ministry. In 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 Paul writes:
My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. (NIV)
Jesus will hold you to account for your ministry.
But it is also an encouragement because Jesus Christ will judge your ministry. Once again, Paul insists that “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself” (1 Cor 4:3). It is Christ alone who judges you, not your peers, colleagues or even yourself. You minister before an audience of one; you are not enslaved to the opinions of those around you. But the one you minister before can see even the motives of your heart.
There is nothing wrong with great dreams. However, what Jesus really wants, and what the church really needs, is this sort of godliness—godliness that will be commended on the last day with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.
