10/28/2025
Too many times in life, we think that one little act isn’t that big of a deal. One little lie. One little peak. One little moment of indulgence, escape, or fantasy. It’s not that big of a deal, that one, little, seemingly insignificant, act … right?
We also think of it in the reverse. One little act of helping, serving, giving, sharing, loving—what good can one little deed do in a vast ocean of overwhelming need?
And yet we discover over time that one little act of selfishness or selflessness grows into another act and another act and another act, until something big is clearly and effectually developed in our lives…for better or worse.
As my wife’s preacher from her childhood used to say, “A sliver leads to a slice, and a slice leads to a slab, and a slab leads to a slob.” Yes, indeed. To put it positively, we could say that a little kindness leads to more kindness, which in turn shapes a character of kindness.
Jesus said, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” (Luke 16:10, ESV). We might be tempted to think that a little faithfulness yields little results, and a little indiscretion yields little consequence.
But we couldn’t be more wrong.
My mentor, Alan Ahlgrim, once wrote, “No one makes one, single, big commitment that lasts a lifetime without a series of small daily commitments along the way. The daily commitments of your life define your life” (Soul Strength, 175).
We will be committed to something, and our small, daily commitments to pursuing that something will shape us into the people we become.
Scripture warns us that, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:10-11, ESV). “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it” (Proverbs 13:11, ESV).
As some of you may know, my wife is training for a half-marathon. Her training program isn’t designed to make her into a runner in one, single, big commitment. Her program increases her mileage one mile and one day at a time. If she set out to run 13.1 miles in one day, she would never make it. But over several months of incremental improvement, she will be set and ready to go. (Proud of you, hon!)
So goes our spiritual life and character development. Do you want to have a marriage like one you’ve seen where the couple still embodies love and devotion to each other after fifty years? Then grow your marriage with small, daily commitments that, over time, will produce that kind of marriage. Do you want to become a person of deep joy, love, prayer, and faithfulness? Then choose the short-term commitments that will produce the long-term results, and you will become the person you desire to be.
To the church in Smyrna, Jesus said, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10, ESV). That type of faithfulness doesn’t start with one, single, big commitment that lasts a lifetime, but with small, daily commitments that will define your life. Amen.
