A Famous Italian sculptor, Michelangelo, is reputed to have said, "Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle." On page 123 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has used this saying in the statement: "Seeing that we have to attain to the ministry of righteousness in all things, we must not overlook small things in goodness or in badness, for 'trifles make perfection,' and 'the little foxes . . . spoil the vines.'"
How true it is that the road to human achievement must be climbed from the beginning, with conscientious care and a right regard for every least essential! Does the business executive expect to reach the top of the ladder without climbing each round, and giving adequate attention to the details of his business? Does the musician hope to perfect his technique without first learning the simple rules of fingering, and mastering his scales and exercises in orderly progression? No doubt many failures could be traced to the human tendency to carelessness in small matters, due perhaps to a belief in lack of time, or more important obligations, or else mere selfishness. As a result, much work has to be done over again, many footsteps have to be retraced, many needlessly discordant situations harmonized.
Jesus, the master Christian and Way-shower, found both time and place for little things. In his ministry of righteousness he never failed to attend to the need of the moment, and to exercise thoughtful consideration for others, as shown by his turning of the water into wine at the marriage feast, healing the ear of the high priest's servant, and lovingly providing for his mother during his agony on the cross. Then, too, his parables show the use of small everyday occurrences as opportunities to bring out great spiritual truths, and his healings attest the thoroughness of his work. Had his methods been careless or haphazard in any respect, it is improbable that he could have healed the sick instantaneously, completely, and without any sense of fear, hurry, or worry. Through his early training and preparation, Jesus had experienced the value of promptness, accuracy, willingness, and obedience, for by demonstrating these primary qualities, the so-called little things of goodness, he proved himself a good son, a good carpenter, and an exemplary Christian. Thus he indicated his worthiness for the final and vastly greater ministry as Messiah or Way-shower.
