Matthew 25:45
“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”
When I was a boy, my mother always stressed to me the importance of taking care of the smallest details because she stressed that they would eventually lead to bigger details in life. I have worked with a few preachers who made a big deal about making sure every little detail is cared for. They understood that the least matters of life are oftentimes the determining factor of the success of projects.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells three parables that deal with the kingdom of heaven. The first parable was about the ten virgins awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom. The second parable was about a man traveling into a far country and leaving three servants in charge of a portion of his money. The third parable was about Jesus talking about the separation of sheep and goats and how many people didn’t treat Him right. Each of these parables show us a test of how to deal with the least matters so that we can be entrusted with greater things in life. Let me show you these three tests and see if you pass them.
The first test is the preparation test. Five of the virgins were not prepared when the bridegroom came. They slumbered and slept, and then at the last minute tried to get ready, but it was too late. Though this parable is dealing with salvation, it also carries an important truth to be prepared for everything that comes in life. Far too many people run off a crisis mode and then wonder why they are so stressed in life. I have found that if you learn to prepare in advance with every task for which you are responsible that you will have much less stress in life and will find success is much easier to achieve.
The second test is the task test. The second parable was about three servants who were supposed to care for their task of investments. Two of the servants cared for the “few things” of which they were entrusted, and the master gained the confidence in them to give them more responsibility. Every little task is a big task. How you treat the little tasks of life will determine how you treat the big tasks in life. If you treat the little tasks unimportantly, then you should never be entrusted with the bigger tasks in life. It is not until you learn to treat every task importantly that you should be entrusted with the greater task.
The third test is the people test. Jesus rebuked people because they passed over the “least of these.” There are no unimportant people. If you have a class for people, then you will treat every person differently according to their class. Let me encourage you not to classify people, but treat every person is important. You never know when you are dealing with someone whom you think is least who in fact is someone who can truly help you later in life. Treat every person importantly and you will never “accidentally” treat someone of importance wrongly.
Friend, these three tests truly define your character. Whenever you fail any of these three tasks, you are showing that you are not ready to be entrusted with greater tasks. Your potential is dependent upon how you treat the least matters. If everything is important to you, then you will never miss the one task that makes or breaks the greatest task that is the deciding factor of what propels you in life. Let me encourage you to be sure to treat every least matter in preparation, task and treatment of people importantly. When you pass these three tests, then you will prove to God that you are ready for the greater vision He has for you.