Matthew 6:33 KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – 
DAILY READING • Acts 24:10-27; Judges 21; Psalm 46

John D. Rockefeller, was America’s first billionaire. He was an American industrialist and philanthropist who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the oil industry. Rockefeller strongly believed that his purpose in life was to greatly make money and then use it wisely to improve the lot of mankind. In 1870, Rockefeller helped found the Standard Oil company. Over a forty-year period, Rockefeller built Standard Oil into the largest and most profitable company in the world, thus becoming the world’s richest man. His company was convicted in Federal Court of monopolistic practices and broken up in the 1911 Standard Oil antitrust settlement. Yet indicative of its enormous size and influence, is that four of Standard Oil’s successor companies; Exxon, Mobil, Amoco, and Chevron remain among the fifty largest companies in the world. He spent the last forty years of his life focused on philanthropy. His wealth helped pioneer the development of medical research in North America and was instrumental in the eradication of hookworm and yellow fever. Most of his wealth was donated using multiple foundations run by experts. He was a devout Christian and  supported many church-based institutions throughout his life. He was also a faithful tither all of his life.

Despite the greatness he later achieved, he began life under very humbling circumstances. He first started work as a small boy to help support his mother. His first wages amounted to $1.50 per week. The first week after he went to work, he  took the $1.50 home to his mother and she held the money in her lap and explained to him that she would be happy if he would give a tenth of it to the Lord. He did, and from that week until his last day he tithed every dollar God entrusted to him. And he once said in an interview ‘if I had not tithed the first dollar I made I would not have tithed the first million dollars I made. Train the children to tithe, and they will grow up to be faithful stewards of the Lord.’

God wants us to be faithful with the little things and the opportunities that are before us. In Matthew 25:14-31, we read the parable of the men who were entrusted with talents. To the first two, the master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21-23). In verses  25:24-28, we read what he said to the one who buried his money, and  we see the conclusion in verse 29, “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.’

We have to be faithful where we are. God is watching to see our faithfulness in the little things. The book of proverbs says a faithful man shall abound with blessings. God knows where we are gifted and when we are faithful to serve in the little area as best as we can He will open doors to greater opportunities. For instance if the only opportunity to serve in church is to be a cleaner, then you need to clean the best you can and  have it done early.. 

Great things in life often begin as small things. Big opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. Don’t first look for great things to do for God, Just be faithful in the little you are doing and God will assign to you greater things. Be willing to pay the price where you are and greater blessings will come your way. 

It was once said that a pastor approached the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa and asked him to pray for God to release upon him double of the anointing on the Archbishop’s life. So the Archbishop laid his hand on him and began to ask God to give the pastor double of his tribulation and trials and sufferings. The pastor didn’t want such a prayer and quickly reneged on the prayer for a double anointing. Many want the stars but not the scars. There will always be more people willing to carry great anointing and do “mighty” things for God than there are people willing to pay the price. The race to be a leader is crowded, but the field is wide open for only those are first willing to be servants. 

Being faithful upon little is a test of character. Many are on a career path, but few seem to be on a character path. Your servant’s heart is revealed in little acts. Small tasks often show a big heart. God will never exempt you from the mundane. It’s a vital part of your character curriculum. No task is beneath you when you have a servant’s heart, and no price is too big to pay either. Sometimes you serve upward to those in authority, and other times you serve downward to those in need. Whichever way when you are faithful in your service God will bring greater blessings your way. He is a faithful rewarder.  Being faithful is a daily process. And  we need to continually rely on God and His strength to live our lives in faithful service. And as we continue to serve faithfully where we are, we can be sure God’s rewards will ultimately locate us. 
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to be faithful in serving You, help me to seek your kingdom first so that other things can be added unto me in Jesus Name. .. ..  

QUOTE : 

You will never need more than God to experience the impossible in life. WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]