If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 NLT
Faithfulness is the foundational key to a significant life. Dorcas lived a life of significance and impact because she was faithful. She didn’t do just one good, remarkable thing, and she didn’t make her mark with one large, generous offering. Generosity and good works were her lifestyle. Rather than being measured by temporary fame, wealth, or worldly status, or built by solitary impressive moments, a significant life is built on steady commitment and faithfulness in everyday opportunities and responsibilities – large or small.
You and I can develop faithfulness leading to a life of good works, generosity, and an amazing legacy too. It’s important that we always approach our service as doing all things for the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 says that whenever and for whomever we do good things generously, we are faithfully serving Jesus first. We can serve God in the quiet, unseen, and uncelebrated places of our lives. Faithfulness also must learn to say “no” sometimes. While faithfulness makes the most of opportunities to do good (Galatians 6:10), we must seek the Lord for wisdom to know and do what He has planned for us, not veering off in areas that are not helpful or good investments of our resources.
Faithfulness remembers that our work for God is never wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58). Can you imagine what it must have been like for Dorcas? Endlessly making clothes and coats? Some people taking great care of them and others not? Some less grateful than others? Perhaps she had moments when her position as a small-town seamstress whose work was mostly unheralded and free seemed unimportant. But her good works and generosity were having a major impact. As we work for the Lord, our work is never wasted, whether we see results in the moment and feel appreciated or if we do not. God sees and uses everything we do for Him and others.
Faithfulness shapes us, matures us, and creates a godly legacy (James 1:4). On the many mundane days when the apostle Peter wasn’t around, when there were no exciting messages, miracles, or church services, Dorcas’s character developed. She was faithful, living generously and doing good works. Her legacy grew when it looked like nothing was happening. Her daily faith and faithfulness met countless needs in the name of Jesus then and still challenges us several thousand years later.
- We may not realize the fruit of our labor until much later, but God does major miracles with the things we see as small and insignificant. What “little” assignments and opportunities for good works and generosity has God given you? They are your path to a full life and legacy.