“His lord said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matthew 25:23, N.K.J.V.)

George Matheson was a blind Scottish pastor in the late 1800s. While he was serving as the pastor of a church in Innellan, he preached to a mere handful of worshipers one stormy winter’s Sunday. He left that service discouraged because he felt that his sermon had been especially good and he wished that more people had heard it. But what he didn’t know was that one stranger in the congregation that day would never forget the sermon or the blind preacher who delivered it. Seven years later that man would recommend Matheson to become the pastor of St. Bernard’s Church in Edinburgh, a call that would lead to thirteen years of highly fruitful service for Matheson at that church.

In the parable of the talents, Jesus taught that the one who is faithful over a few things will be made ruler over many things (Matthew 25:14-30). While He gave this parable within the context of a teaching on prophecy and rewards in the afterlife, the basic principle can apply in this life. As proof of that, He gave another parable, one known as “the parable of the faithful steward” (Luke 12:42-48), which isn’t found within the context of a prophetic teaching.

Yes, God is always on the lookout for good stewardship, and He always takes special notice of a George Matheson who will faithfully preach to the best of his ability for a poorly attended Sunday service. That’s why you should never take lightly any opportunity that comes your way to do something in service to Christ. Remember that no job is too small for a servant who is big enough to do it well.