Little Slips by J.R. Miller Whoever is faithful in
very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous
in very little is also unrighteous in much. Luke 16, 10. We are apt to underestimate little
failures in duty. It seems to us a small matter
that we do not keep an engagement, that we lose our temper that
we say an impatient or angry word, that we show an unkind
or harsh spirit, that we speak uncharitably of another, that
we treat someone with discourtesy, or fail in some other way which
appears trivial. We think that so long as we are
honest, faithful, and loving in the larger things, that it
is of small importance that we make little slips. But we never
can tell what may be the consequences of our failure in even the most
minute duty. A little slip hurts our own life. It leaves us a little weaker
in our character. a little less able to resist
the next temptation that comes at the same point. It breaks
our habit of faithfulness and makes it easier for us to break
it a second time. We sin against ourselves when
we relax our diligence or our faithfulness in even the least
thing. then we do not know what the
consequences to others will be when we fail in their presence.
An outburst of temper in a Christian may hinder many others in their
Christian life. The failure of a Christian minister
to pay a little debt may destroy the minister's influence over
many in his church.