Little Things Aren’t So Little
By Allan E. McNabb

I received two cards last week, from families in the congregation, on two separate days. One card was to me personally, and the other card was to our family. Some members of our congregation also took meals to families who were very ill. And, I’m sure other members were kind and benevolent in ways that haven’t come to my attention.

When I received the cards, a few thoughts immediately came to mind: someone thought enough of me to buy a card, write in it, and mail it. When I opened the cards and read the messages, my spirits were immediately lifted. It reminded me that little things aren’t so little.

A little thing can make a big impact
Sometimes we think we have to do something big, to make a difference in someone’s life. But this isn’t true. Sometimes, the smallest things make the biggest impact.

I remember my grandmother telling me about one of the most important things that happened to her, after her husband passed away and she lived alone. A young lady from church called her for a few minutes, almost every day. Some days, this was one of the most significant events in her life. It “broke up the day,” she told me. And it kept her from getting so lonely.

The little things at judgment
When Jesus comes in judgment, He’s going to separate the godly and ungodly, “as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left” (Matt. 25:32-33).

The ones who inherit eternal life, are Christians who have done the little things for their brethren (Matt. 25:34-40):

• fed hungry brethren.
• given drink to thirsty brethren.
• been hospitable to brethren who were traveling.
• clothed brethren who were without clothes.
• visited sick brethren.
• visited imprisoned brethren.

You can test yourself to see if you are in the faith, by whether you’re doing the little things for your brethren (2 Cor. 13:5).

• Is your faith working through love (Gal. 5:6)?
• Are you visiting distressed brethren, and attending to their needs (Ja. 1:27; 2:14-17)?
• Are you laying down your life for your brethren (1 Jn. 3:16-19)?
• If you are serving your brethren, even in the little things, you are of the truth, and know you have eternal life (1 Jn. 3:18-19).

Don’t forget, when you do a little thing for someone, you lift their spirits and help them more than you probably know. And more importantly, your Father in heaven looks down upon you and is well pleased — little things aren’t so little.