An interesting statement found in the Old Testament writings of the prophets warns us against looking down upon “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10). It is natural for people to be impressed by relatively big things and to disregard the small. Yet small things may sometimes become great. Many examples illustrate this truism—that great things often have humble beginnings.
You may have heard the saying, Tall oak trees from little acorns grow. Indeed, a small seed can grow into a giant tree. We should learn an important lesson from this example alone.
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ compared the Kingdom of God to a miniscule mustard seed (1 to 2 millimeters in diameter) that grows large enough for birds to nest in its branches (Luke 13:18–19). Some mustard bushes can grow 30 feet high—not bad for such a tiny seed! Jesus encouraged His disciples to have faith comparable to a tiny mustard seed, by which faith one could successfully command a mulberry tree to be pulled up and planted in the sea (Luke 17:6).
Regarding small things, Christ taught the Parable of the Minas, in which a king went to a far country to receive a kingdom and gave each of his servants a mina to invest while he was away. “Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities’” (Luke 19:16–19).
That’s quite a good return on an investment of simply being faithful “in a very little.” We know of multi-million- and even billion-dollar companies that began humbly in someone’s garage or basement. Small beginnings can develop into successful enterprises.
Cyrus, ruler of Medo-Persia, which conquered Babylon in 539 BC, released the Jewish exiles to return to rebuild Jerusalem and God’s temple. It was a daunting task, beset by enemies who opposed the project and plagued by the discouragement of those who had seen the glory of Solomon’s original temple, with which the new effort compared unfavorably. But, by God’s will, the great undertaking was accomplished.
Consider, too, the tiny human egg cell, with its diameter of about 0.12 millimeters. Each of us came from one such single cell, which after fertilization multiplied many times until we were born. This is a humble beginning and a marvelous one, through which we became autonomous human beings.
And once there were only two human beings: Adam and Eve. But look at the world’s population today! And that’s after a global flood that left just eight people saved in Noah’s ark, followed by millennia of plagues, wars, and disasters.
Another tiny seed—the Church of God founded by Jesus Christ, His “little flock” (Luke 12:32)—will fill the earth when Christ returns as conquering King. He will restore the devastated planet, bringing salvation to all nations of the earth. Scripture describes the glorious restoration Christ will bring: “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation” (Isaiah 60:22). Isaiah also said, “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).
So, never look down upon the small things. They may become great.