Be Faithful in the Little Things

Booker T. Washington was a freed slave who desperately wanted an education. In 1872, he traveled more than 300 miles to Hampton Institute. He only had a few dollars when he arrived at the school (not near enough for tuition). The head teacher, Miss Mackie, told Booker to sweep the floor of a classroom. Booker swept and mopped the floor; he dusted the furniture and washed down the walls. He cleaned that room thoroughly from top to bottom. When Miss Mackie returned, she was so impressed that she hired Booker as a janitor at the school, which enabled him to afford the tuition. Three years later, Booker graduated and soon became a teacher at Hampton Institute.

How many times do we do the bare minimum (just "sweep the floor")? Do we rush through reading a Scripture verse or two and say a quick prayer, thinking that is all that is required? Might the word "faithful" in this verse encourage us to do a little more? What could happen if we put extra time and care into our daily devotions? Had Booker only swept the room, he quite possibly might have missed the opportunity of the janitor's job. What opportunities are we missing by failing to be faithful in the little things?

The story of Booker is inspiring. Just as he was determined to get into that school, we should be determined to be "faithful," not doing just enough to get by, not being faithful in only the big things (that which is most noticeable), but also being faithful in "that which is least" (the little things).

Any man's life will be filled with constant and unexpected encouragement, if he makes up his mind to do his level best each day and as nearly as possible reaching the high-water mark of pure and useful living.
—Booker T. Washington