The concept of being faithful in small things and being rewarded with greater things is found in several places in the Bible, particularly in the parables of Jesus. Here are a few key examples:
* Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): This is perhaps the most direct and well-known example. Servants are given different amounts of talents (a large sum of money) to manage. The servants who invest and multiply their talents are praised and rewarded with greater responsibility: "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" (Matthew 25:21, 23). The servant who hides his talent is condemned for not being faithful with what he was given.
* Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27): Similar to the Parable of the Talents, this parable involves servants being given minas (a unit of currency) to invest. Those who use the minas wisely are rewarded, while the one who does nothing with his mina is punished.
* Luke 16:10-12: This passage explicitly states the principle: "Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones, and whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?"
* Proverbs 28:20: "A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." (While not a direct parable, this verse highlights the blessing that comes with faithfulness.)
In summary, the principle of being faithful in small things and being rewarded with greater things is a recurring theme in the teachings of Jesus, especially in the parables of the Talents and the Minas. It is also reflected in other passages that emphasize the importance of faithfulness and trustworthiness.