THE LITTLE THINGS WE DO

The little things we do can bring about a permanent change in the lives of those affected. I say ‘little’ because compared to the effects or results they attract, there is usually a clear cut difference in quantity and sometimes quality. Note: I’m talking about the little POSITIVE things we do. The little things with great impacts: Voluntary service, benevolence to the needy, community development services, and a host of other things we do without being compelled or placed under duress to do, but out of a sacrificial heart, and knowing that we can be of help to people we may not necessarily know personally or have a close relationship with.

Elijah met a widow in Zarephath and asked her to fetch a little water in a vessel that he may drink. As she was going to fetch it, “Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand” he added. The woman swore that she had nothing but a handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in a cruse. But Elijah told her to go and prepare some for him, and then for her and her son. She did as she was told, and the bible records that the barrel of meal did not waste, neither did the cruse of oil fail, just as God said through Elijah. The widow’s son passed on and God raised him back to life, because Elijah prayed. That little act of obedience brought about an increase in her supplies as well as life to her son. The seeds we sow, no matter how little, have the ability to germinate and turn into a harvest. That’s why the bible says “If you sow bountifully, you will reap bountifully, but if you sow sparingly, sparingly shall you reap. There’s always a result for our actions – both the ones we carry out advertently and the ones carried out inadvertently.

An employer of labour who doesn’t take into cognizance the fact that a little token of appreciation (asides the regular stipends) to his staff can increase their productivity and motivate them to stay, will in no time lose them to one who is far-sighted.

Think about this: You have workers under you and at the end of the year you throw a surprise party, inviting them and their household to dine with you. Okay, if you can’t throw a party for them, you can at least give them something (substantial) you can afford, just to say ‘your services are very much appreciated’. You can’t always meet people’s needs or satisfy all the desires of their heart, but showing concern (action) either by using your resources or rendering your services, can/will go a long way. You might say some people don’t appreciate it, but it’s not just about them. It’s about you, too.

You are practicing a principle that always yields favourable results, if applied properly (the principle of giving cheerfully). If you do it in a bid to receive immediate results in terms of ‘thank yous’ and ‘special recognition’ then that’s your reward. Proverbs 27:14 says “He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him” If you render an act of kindness just for men to see/notice, and maybe you even get upset because no one acknowledged your good deeds, tendencies are that the blessings that should naturally accompany that good deed will elude you. So it’s not just about what we do, but the state of our heart when we do them. It’s also about WHY we do them.

There are other ‘little’ (negative) things we do that bring about permanent ruins to our relationships with people at home, in our work environments and within our peer groups. We need to stop certain things! Do not bear false witness, do not falsify figures, do not sow seeds of discord, do not plot evil against your neighbour, and do not capitalize on people’s weaknesses for your gain. “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their conscience, ye sin against Christ” 1 Corinthians 8:12. Do well to all men, knowing that whatsoever you sow, the same shall you reap.

Some people might not be as fortunate as you are, so if you’re in the position to assist in the area of imparting knowledge, giving good judgment, adding value to a cause, rendering your professional services, and/or benevolence, do not do it grudgingly or out of necessity. Be well aware that the ultimate blessing for every good deed comes from above.

A lot of people have uttered promises without fulfilling; a lot of people have fulfilled promises made in their hearts without uttering them. I’m sure most of us have done both. “Action speaks louder than words,” they say. If you will to do something in your heart, don’t be quick to speak, especially when you do not intend to do it immediately, or you are relying on the outcome of something else to fulfill it. Just do it! The speech can come afterwards.
The younger generation is looking up to us. They learn from us, everyday. Let’s lay down good legacies. We might not be able to make right our past wrongs (I’m thinking we would if we could), but let’s try to avert any appearance of potential ones.
Let your every action be of good intentions…to all and sundry! Let your yay be yay, and your nay be nay.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work; (As it is written, he hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:8-9.

Work Hard. Pray harder. Thank God.