The Little Foxes That Spoil The Vines

Solomon’s book about love in Song of Solomon 2:15 has this strange warning. “Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines.”  Little foxes in the mid-east weigh only about eight or nine pounds and measure about 20 inches long. They are quick and skillful but not strong like a coyote or dangerous like a bear. Yet this tiny creature can do significant damage in a short time. Although they are meat-eaters, they also eat fruit. They bite at the new shoots, chew at the roots, and eat the fruit as it develops. It required an almost constant warfare between the vineyard owner and the fox.

The little foxes represent the many little things that can destroy relationships. These “little things” can greatly damage our relationship with the Lord.

Jesus was concerned about little things and frequently talked about them. He spoke about hairs on the head, birds, flowers, seeds, weeds, and lost coins. Jesus observed small events like the woman who touched his garment and was healed, the tax collector who climbed a tree, the little children who came to Him, and the widow who dropped her two mites in the offering box. He talked about a servant who was faithful in “little” things.

Little things matter!

Recently, some state politicians decided that crimes involving stolen items priced under $1,000 were not worth prosecuting. As a result, stealing became rampant. Merchants had to lock up many of their shelves holding small value items. The thievery cost so much that some merchants closed their doors permanently. Others moved out of state.

I read a story about a minister who moved into a new town and assumed the pastorate of a church. One day, he rode the city bus and paid his fare with a $10 bill. The driver made change and gave him a quarter too much. The preacher debated in his mind whether to return the quarter. As he exited the bus, he returned the quarter. The driver said, “I know who you are, and I had been thinking of going to your church. When I saw you enter the bus, I purposely gave you the extra quarter to find out what kind of man you were. Now I know. I will come to visit your church Sunday.” Little things matter.

I went through a self-checkout line a few months ago to purchase groceries. After getting to my car, I discovered I had failed to ring up one item. Because of the Holy Spirit’s conviction, I returned that item to the store and paid for it. Little things matter.

Other little things matter, such as a little lie, a minor theft, a little outburst of temper, a little act of disobedience, a little oath, a slang expression or bad word, a little act of selfishness, a slight yielding to laziness, an omission of prayer or giving in to envy or jealousy. And many other “little things.”

On the opposite side of the coin, there are positive “little things” that matter. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:” (Luke 16:10) “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42).   Loving your neighbor as yourself involves many “little things.”

Sometimes, today, we are concerned about whether people see us or not. Our testimony and reputation before other people are very important. But we must also remember that God knows, sees, and hears everything we do or think.

What “little things” are you doing that you need to stop immediately?

What good “little things” are you doing or need to start doing?

LITTLE THINGS MATTER!

There’s a children’s chorus that would be well for us adults to remember.

Oh, Be Careful, Little Eyes, What You See

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see,
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.
There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.

Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear,
Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear.
There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,
Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear.

Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say,
Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say.
There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,
Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say.

Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do,
Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do.
There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,
Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do.

Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go,
Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go.
There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,
Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go.