Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much (
One summer during my college years, I worked for a natural gas company—usually cutting lawns or painting gas well signs. However, as the summer wore on, I noted the boss began giving me larger responsibilities. At first, he was would only give me the keys to the riding lawn mower, but as I earned his trust and confidence, he began handing me the keys to pickup trucks and other heavy equipment. Most of those trips were short routes—hauling supplies to welders and maintenance crews—but by the end of the summer, the boss was also handing me the keys to the backhoe, and once, to a large truck loaded with very costly materials that I had to drive across the county.
Amazingly, I learned trust is something that must be earned and that by proving myself faithful over small things, I would then be given responsibility over larger things.
Jesus spoke of this, too. This teaching is one of the most important we can encounter in ministry.
Ministry is not something that can rushed. Sometimes time is the greatest teacher, and we learn many lessons through trial and error, through watching, and even through failure; but through these times we also gain new trust and respect and eventually are given larger responsibilities by those who supervise us or mentor us.
If you are desiring more responsibility in your ministry, first prove yourself faithful over the smallest of things. Do these things well. In time, you will be given larger responsibilities. In fact, you may end up leading others, too.
Be attentive to the small things that have been entrusted to your care. Make it a point to be on time, to do your best, to craft your words and work in such a way that others not only will see your heart but also your promise. Before long, you will be a leader. Then you will get to return the favor by helping others learn from the smallest of things.
First go small to go large. This is how you will gain the trust and respect of those around you.
