Big people are always giving someone credit and taking blame; little people are always seeking credit and giving blame. (Charlie ‘Tremendous’ Jones)
back it up with bible
Phillippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Psalms 34:12-14 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.
1 Colossians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing
core christianity
Great people talk about ideas; regular people talk about things; little people talk about other people. (Unknown)
God makes some people large, others moderate in stature. Still others are small in size. We frequently make the mistake of calling small folks “little,” but that is an unfortunate and unfair tag. I’m not picking at terms . . . there is a great deal of difference between being small and being little. If you don’t think so, just ask someone who is less than average height. They won’t hesitate telling you they may be small, but they’re definitely not little.
Being “little” implies much more than being short. It suggests being petty, lacking in great-heartedness, having a mind that is restrictive, suspicious, envious, spiteful. “Little” people (regardless of their physical size) find it extremely difficult to applaud another’s achievement, especially if the accomplishments bear the marks of success and excellence. While there are many who are big enough to appreciate outstanding work, there is always the “little” world comprising those who frown, depreciate, question, doubt, criticize, and forever search for the flaw.
I am aware that all sorts and sizes of people will read this piece. A few of you are “little,” hard as it may be to face it. But I’m convinced that many more of you are “big,” which, being translated, means visionary, courageous, bold, secure, productive, unafraid of hard work, and unintimidated by the odds. Good for you! Press on. Grow even bigger. Stand tall. Run hard as you set a new pace. Refuse to reduce your stride. Embrace quality and excellence and determination. Without fudging one inch on integrity and humility, push on . . . lead on. Ignore the “little” world of onlookers who are too petty to produce, too suspicious to affirm, too envious to acknowledge greatness. Go hard after your goal, get on with it!
Isn’t that the essence of Paul’s charge to the Corinthians? My dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. (1 Corinthians 15:58 MSG) It’s certainly what the apostle had in mind when he challenged young Timothy to “take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself . . . persevere” (1 Timothy 4:15-16). Regardless of your stature, in spite of your current circumstances, age, status, occupation, location, limitations, or background, aim high . . . way up there where the ranks are as thin as the air. (Charles R. Swindoll)
previously published
What a surprise we’re going to get when the Lord hands out the rewards, as to who was really greatest! Some people serve unselfishly, sacrificially, utterly giving themselves to the utmost, and yet never get the credit for it, and are virtually unknown! But God has a great big Book, and it’s known to Him, and He’s writing it all down! And He’ll reward everyone according to their works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. Remember what Jesus said about the dear woman who anointed Him before His death? He said, “She hath done what she could!”
Maybe you feel you can’t do very much, but at least you can do what you can! If you’re faithful, God is going to greatly reward you one of these days soon when you stand before Jesus at the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans14:10). So be sure you’re doing a good work, so that when you pass on to be with the Lord you will know you have done your job the best you can! Then you can look forward to eternal rewards and everlasting glory, with a feeling of genuine permanent accomplishment!
(What Is Greatness?)
If God wants to use you for some greater task in the future, this is the schooling He’ll put you through.--The humble, insignificant task, the unseen, the unheard. For it’s there that you develop the capacity for greatness. You’ll doubtless also have trials & testings, but it will bring you to a place of humility where He can use you. I read a sweet little poem today about “second fiddle”*. It explained how the part of the second fiddle--that means the second-heard place, the humble place--is necessary for the harmony of life, but it’s also the most difficult of any instrument to play. It’s hard to play “second fiddle” because it takes real humility & faith.
If God’s choice for you is the place of unseen & unnoticed service, let the knowledge that He takes notice of your humble place be your comfort. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work & labour of love.” (Heb.6:10) Though you feel so hidden & so in the background today, just pray that you’ll be faithful in what He has given. (Small Places Aren’t Small in God’s Eyes!)
make it personal
Do I have the attitude of a ‘big person’ in the way I treat others and in the way that I strive for excellence in different areas of my life?
