Recognize the Small Beginnings of a
Great Career

by Pastor Dag Heward-MIlls

Many great careers begin in a small way. Unfortunately, many do not recognize the beginnings of greatness.

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

Job 8:7

For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

Zechariah 4:10

The Bible teaches us not to despise small beginnings. Countless Christians throw away great careers in the ministry because they cannot recognize the beginnings of a great career.

Never forget this! The greatest careers begin in the smallest ways. A tiny mustard seed brings a mighty tree forth. There is no relationship between the size of the mustard seed and the size of the tree.

Six People Who Recognized the Small Beginnings of a Great Career

1. Elisha began his career as a prophet by washing the hands of Elijah.

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

2 Kings 3:11

2. The great army general Joshua began his career as a servant to an old prophet.

And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into

the mount of God.

3. King David began his career by playing instruments in the king’s palace.

And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

1 Samuel 16:22,23

4. Aaron began his career by holding up the hands of Moses.

But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exodus 17:12

5. Ruth began her career by helping an elderly frustrated widow.

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Ruth 1:16,17

6. Jesus began his career as a carpenter.

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Mark 6:3