John Calvin Commentary Luke 16:10

"He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much." — Luke 16:10 (ASV)

He who is faithful in that which is least. These maxims are proverbs taken from ordinary practice and experience, and it is quite enough if they are generally true. It will sometimes happen, no doubt, that a deceiver, who had disregarded a small gain, will display his wickedness in a matter of importance. Indeed, many persons, by affecting honesty in trifling matters, are only in pursuit of an enormous gain;²⁹⁸ as that author²⁹⁹ says: “Fraud establishes confidence in itself in small matters, that, when a fit opportunity shall arrive, it may deceive with vast advantage.” And yet the statement of Christ is not inaccurate; for in proverbs, as I have mentioned, we attend only to what usually happens.

Christ, therefore, exhorts his disciples to act faithfully in small matters, in order to prepare themselves for the exercise of fidelity in matters of the highest importance. He next applies this doctrine to the proper stewardship of spiritual graces, which the world, indeed, does not estimate according to their value, but which far surpass, beyond all question, the fading riches of this world. He tells us that those persons who act improperly and unfaithfully in things of small value, such as the transitory riches of the world, do not deserve for God to entrust to them the inestimable treasure of the Gospel and similar gifts. There is, therefore, in these words an implied threatening, that there is reason to fear that, on account of our abuse of an earthly stewardship, we may fail to obtain heavenly gifts. In this sense, what is true is contrasted with riches, as what is solid and lasting is contrasted with what is shadowy and fading.³⁰⁰

²⁹⁸ “Et mesmes plusieurs sont contens d’user de simplicite et fidelite en de petites choses, a fin d’attraper puis apres un grand profit tout d’un coup;” — “and many are even willing to practice honesty and fidelity in small matters, in order afterwards to seize all at once on a large profit.”;” — “and many are even willing to practice honesty and fidelity in small matters, in order afterwards to seize all at once on a large profit.”

²⁹⁹ Livy.

³⁰⁰ “D’une chose caduque, et qui n’est qu’une ombre;” — “with a fading thing, and which is only a shadow.”;” — “with a fading thing, and which is only a shadow.”