Dtransfer Fellowship Teaching

On Greatness

October 21, 2026About 10 min read

Three principles I have learned from Scripture: faithfulness in little things, faithfulness with what belongs to another, and faithfulness with money.

Brethren, there are three principles of greatness I have learned from Scripture, taught privately to disciples, and trusted God for grace to apply over the years:

Faithfulness in little things.
Faithfulness with what belongs to another.
Faithfulness with money.

Jesus brings these together in Luke 16:10–12, following the parable of the unjust steward. We also see them reflected in the responsibility given to the servants in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30.

I view life as stewardship. Greatness flows from faithfully stewarding all that God has given us. Our time, money, resources, access, opportunities, and the people entrusted to our care all carry responsibility before Him.

Paul asks:

What do you have that you did not receive? — 1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)

We need to allow that question to settle in our hearts. We have received. We must therefore consider what we are doing with what has been given to us.

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. — 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV)

This is what the Lord requires of a steward: faithfulness.

When the disciples were concerned about greatness, Jesus directed them to service. Whoever desired to become great among them must become their servant, and whoever desired to be first must become their slave. He pointed them to His own example of serving and giving His life for others (Matthew 20:25–28).

Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. — Matthew 20:26–28 (NKJV)

Our understanding of greatness must follow what Jesus taught. We are here to serve God and people in love.

1. Faithfulness in little things

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. — Luke 16:10 (NKJV)

Notice where Jesus begins: what is least.

Sometimes what we have appears small to us. It may be a little money, a small responsibility, or a few people to teach. Yet we are responsible for how we handle it.

We must give attention to what is already in our hands. If a few people have been entrusted to our care, let us teach them faithfully and help them grow in Christ. Their number does not make the responsibility less important.

In Matthew 25, one servant received five talents, another received two, and another received one, each according to his ability. The servants who faithfully used the five and the two received the same commendation:

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ — Matthew 25:21 (ESV); see also verse 23

Each served with what he had received.

This matters to me in discipleship. The people we teach should come to know Christ, embody the Gospel, and become faithful witnesses who can teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). Such work has value even when it is not widely known.

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. — 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

2. Faithfulness with what belongs to another

And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? — Luke 16:12 (NKJV)

How do we handle what belongs to another? Can we be trusted with the resources, responsibilities, and access given to us?

We must honour the purpose for which a trust was given and respect its boundaries. Having access to something places a responsibility on us to handle it faithfully.

This applies to our work. Colossians 3:23–24 instructs us to work heartily, as for the Lord. The faithfulness and integrity of the Christ we profess should be evident in how we serve.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. — Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV)

It applies to ministry as well. The people entrusted to our care belong to God. Peter tells us to shepherd His flock and be examples to them (1 Peter 5:2–3). We are responsible for helping them know Christ and grow into maturity in Him.

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. — 1 Peter 5:2–3 (ESV)

Even the Gospel we preach has been entrusted to us (1 Thessalonians 2:4). We must receive it faithfully, live it, preserve it, and pass it on to faithful people who will teach others.

But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. — 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (ESV)

What we transmit to the next generation matters.

3. Faithfulness with money

If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? — Luke 16:11 (ESV)

Brethren, Jesus specifically mentions money. We must take our handling of it seriously.

Whether we have little or much, faithfulness is required. This includes money available for our own responsibilities and money entrusted to us for a particular purpose.

In the same passage, Jesus says:

You cannot serve God and money. — Luke 16:13 (ESV)

Our use of money must be subject to our obedience to God. We must handle it in a way that honours Him, provides for our responsibilities, and serves others.

We should examine ourselves here. Are we faithful with the money already in our hands? Can we be trusted to use it for the purpose for which it was given?

All that God has given us

I see this responsibility extending into the whole of life:

Our time. We must use it wisely and make the most of the opportunities before us. We are accountable for how we spend our days.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. — Ephesians 5:15–16 (NKJV)

Our money and material resources. We must handle them faithfully, provide for our responsibilities, and be willing to share with those in need.

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. — 1 Timothy 6:18 (NKJV)

See also Luke 16:11; 1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Timothy 6:17–19.

Our bodies and strength. We belong to the Lord. Our bodies are to glorify Him, and our lives are to be available for His service.

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. — 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV)

See also 1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 12:1.

Our abilities and skills. We must put what we can do to faithful use. In the work of the tabernacle, we see people using the skills God had given them to carry out the work before them.

And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship. — Exodus 35:31 (NKJV)

See Exodus 35:30–35 for the account of the craftsmen and their work.

Our spiritual gifts. We have received these to serve others, as stewards of God’s varied grace.

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. — 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)