Significance of "Have Done with Lesser Things" in Christian Living
The concept of "having done with lesser things" in Christian living emphasizes prioritizing eternal and spiritual matters over temporal concerns. This principle is rooted in biblical teachings that encourage believers to focus on what holds lasting value, rather than being consumed by the fleeting aspects of earthly life [10].
One foundational aspect of this teaching is found in Jesus' words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). This statement, recalled by Paul, highlights a spiritual economy where generosity and self-sacrifice are elevated above personal accumulation. Similarly, the Sermon on the Mount encourages believers not to be anxious about material needs like food and clothing, but to trust in God's provision, drawing a parallel to how God cares for the "lilies of the field" (Matthew 6:25-34, cited in [7]). Augustine of one tradition notes that this teaching directs believers to entrust the care of their bodies to God, who has already given them life [7].
The idea of faithfulness in "little things" also connects to this theme. Jesus states, "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much" (Luke 16:10). John Gill interprets this proverb to mean that a person who acts faithfully in a small trust will generally do so in a larger one, suggesting that character is revealed and developed in seemingly insignificant matters [3]. Adam Clarke further elaborates that cultivating fidelity in small things builds a "gracious habit" of acting with integrity in matters of greater importance [5]. Conversely, a lack of uprightness in minor issues can lead to a disregard for honor and conscience in significant situations [5]. This principle suggests that how one handles "lesser things"—whether material possessions or small responsibilities—reflects their capacity for greater spiritual stewardship.
The Bible also contrasts the pursuit of earthly gain with spiritual wisdom. Ecclesiastes 4:6 suggests that "Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind" [1]. This verse speaks to the futility of relentless striving for material abundance, especially when it comes at the cost of peace. The ephemeral nature of natural life itself is described as "vain," "limited," "short," and "full of trouble" (Job 7:1; 14:1, 5; Psalm 89:47; Ecclesiastes 6:12; James 4:13-15, cited in [2]). In contrast, God's loving-kindness is presented as "better than life" (Psalm 63:3, cited in [2]).
The early Christian community, as described in Acts, exemplified a radical detachment from material possessions. Charles Hodge notes that the phrase "having all things common" implies that believers regarded their possessions not as absolute personal property, but as a trust for the benefit of others [4]. This interpretation suggests a renunciation of control over personal wealth, with proceeds being distributed by the apostles [4]. This communal sharing demonstrates a practical application of "having done with lesser things" by prioritizing the needs of the community over individual accumulation.
Theological traditions have emphasized different aspects of this concept. John Calvin, for instance, links adversity and prosperity to God's blessing and curse, warning against the "torpor" of viewing events as merely fortuitous [8]. He also connects additional gifts to believers as flowing from God's "free benignity," rather than merit [9]. Calvin further argues that casting away anxiety about the flesh allows believers to look to God for "greater gifts," such as salvation and eternal life [10].
The teaching also warns against the danger of neglecting "weightier matters" for trivial observances. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for meticulously tithing "mint and rue" while neglecting "justice and the love of God" (Luke 11:42, cited in [6]). Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown note that Jesus intentionally named "the most trifling products of the earth" to highlight the Pharisees' misplaced priorities, a tendency that still afflicts believers today [6]. This illustrates that "lesser things" can become a distraction when they overshadow core spiritual duties.
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. -- Ecclesiastes 4:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Natural — God is the author of -- Ge 2:7; Ac 17:28. God preserves -- Ps 36:6; 66:9. Is in the hand of God -- Job 12:10; Da 5:23. Forfeited by sin -- Ge 2:17; 3:17-19. Of others, not to be taken away -- Ex 20:13. Described as Vain. -- Ec 6:12. Limited. -- Job 7:1; 14:5. Short. -- Job 14:1; Ps 89:47. Uncertain. -- Jas 4:13-15. Full of trouble. -- Job 14:1. God's loving-kindness better than -- Ps 63:3. The value of -- Job 2:4; Mt 6:25. Preserved by discretion -- Pr 13:3. Sometimes prolonged, in answer to prayer -- Isa 38:2-5; Jas 5:15. Obedience to God, tends to p”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 16:10: He that is faithful in that which is least,.... In quantity and quality, especially the latter; in that which is of little value and worth, at least when compared with other things: is faithful also in much: in matters of greater consequence and importance: the sense of the proverb is, that, generally speaking, a man that acts a faithful part in a small trust committed to him, does so likewise in a much larger; and being tried, and found faithful in things of less moment, he is intrusted with things of greater importance; though this is not always the case: for somet”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 50: .) Some indeed say that these passages do not imply any actual community of goods. Having “all things common” is understood to mean, “No one regarded his possessions as belonging absolutely to himself, but as a trust for the benefit of others also.” This interpretation seems inconsistent with the whole narrative. Those who had possessions sold them. They renounced all control over what was once their own. The price was handed over to the Apostles and distributed by them or under their direction. 429 On the narrative as given in the Acts i”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 16:10: He that is faithful in that which is least, etc. - He who has the genuine principles of fidelity in him will make a point of conscience of carefully attending to even the smallest things; and it is by habituating himself to act uprightly in little things that he acquires the gracious habit of acting with propriety fidelity, honor, and conscience, in matters of the greatest concern. On the contrary, he who does not act uprightly in small matters will seldom feel himself bound to pay much attention to the dictates of honor and conscience, in cases of high importance. C”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 11:42: mint . . . rue, &c.--rounding on Lev 27:30, which they interpreted rigidly. Our Lord purposely names the most trifling products of the earth, as examples of what they punctiliously exacted the tenth of. judgment and the love of God--in Mat 23:25, "judgment, mercy, and faith." The reference is to Mic 6:6-8, whose third element of all acceptable religion, "walking humbly with God," comprehends both "love" and "faith." (See on Mar 12:29; Mar 12:32-33). The same tendency to merge greater duties in less besets us still, but it is the characteristic of hypo”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XV.--49. "Therefore," says He, "I say unto you, Have not anxiety" for your life, what ye shall eat;[12] nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on." Lest perchance, although it is not now super (part 2): the care of protecting the body to Him by whose care you see it has come about that you have a body of such a statute. 52. But an example was to be given for the clothing too, just as one is given for the food. Hence He goes on to say, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say u”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 33: and miseries which press us happen without the agency of men, let us call to mind the doctrine of the Law ( Deut. 28:1 ), that all prosperity has its source in the blessing of God, that all adversity is his curse. And let us tremble at the dreadful denunciation, “And if ye will not be reformed by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; then will I also walk contrary unto you,” ( Lev. 26:23, 24 ). These words condemn our torpor, when, according to our carnal sense, deeming that whatever happens in any way is fortuitous, we are”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 70: the merit of works, so as to deny it to grace, that we are loaded with other gifts from the Lord, is contrary to the doctrine of Scripture. For though Christ says, “Unto every one that has shall be given;” “thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things,” ( Mt. 25:29 , 21 ), he, at the same time, shows that all additional gifts to believers are of his free benignity: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that has no money, come ye, buy, and eat: yea, come, buy wine and milk”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: whenever their hands are not filled with corn, and wine, and oil, so much more value do we set on this shadowy, fleeting life, than on a blessed immortality. But those who, trusting to God, have once cast away that anxiety about the flesh, immediately look to him for greater gifts, even salvation and eternal life. It is no slight exercise of faith, therefore, to hope in God for things which would otherwise give us so much concern; nor have we made little progress when we get quit of this unbelief, which cleaves, as it were, to our ”