The Mustard Seed

It’s the little things in life that make the biggest difference. A few extra seconds tightening a bolt can keep a machine from breaking. A kind word can change someone’s whole day. A small habit, done consistently, can transform your health or your mindset. We see it everywhere in life, yet it’s easy to forget how much the little things matter.

In Matthew 13, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed that a man planted in a field. He said, “Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32). Later, Jesus told His disciples, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) Over and over, He used the mustard seed parable to show how small beginnings can lead to incredible results when placed in the hands of God.

That truth connects right back to Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” We all want to see the big things, the answered prayers, the breakthroughs, and the blessings. But before any of that happens, God watches how we handle the small things. He’s looking at how we treat people, how we show up, and how we handle responsibility when nobody’s watching.

I listened to a Joyce Meyer sermon recently called “Just a Little Bit.” She said something that stood out to me: God told her, “If you take care of the small details, I will always bless you.” That’s powerful. It reminded me that the devil doesn’t usually tempt us with something obvious, he starts with small compromises. But the same is true for obedience. The small faithful actions we make as believers show God that we can be trusted with more.

I see this truth lived out every day in my job. Working as a operations/warehouse manager means details matter. Every piece of paperwork, every label, every receiving report, and every pull on the forklift has to be accurate. Sometimes it feels tedious or unseen, but when those little things are done right, everything else runs smoothly. One small mistake can ripple through the whole operation, but when we’re faithful in the small details, it builds trust, order, and peace. It’s the same way God works in us, preparing us through the details so we can handle the bigger things He has in store.

So if you feel like what you’re doing right now doesn’t matter, remember the mustard seed. You may not see growth right away, but God sees your faithfulness. Every act of obedience is a seed planted in His kingdom, and He’s the one who brings the increase.

Keep showing up. Keep caring about the little things. Because in the kingdom of heaven, the little things are the big things.

The Bigger Picture: Small acts of faith lead to big results.