The Ministry of the Small Things by Linda Kozar

by Rachael Adams | Mar 25, 2025 | The Love Offering Guest Blog Series

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts. Colossians 4:8 ESV

Do you ever feel insignificant, like the things you do for God are small and of little consequence, like drops in a bucket?

Tychicus was a servant of God in the early church, a friend and helper to the apostle Paul. An Asian Christian from what is now known as Turkey, he probably met and ministered alongside Paul in Ephesus.

Now, most people who’ve sat in Sunday School know that the proper way to pronounce his name is “Tik-ick-us,” but in the south, people pronounce his name, “Tie-cheek-us.” No matter which way you pronounce his name, the facts about him are as follows. Tychicus was known among believers to be a faithful, loyal encourager to other believers, but especially to Paul, a prisoner of Rome who could no longer do what he lived for, visit the churches, go on mission trips, and connect with the people. So, Tychicus represented him where he could not go. As Paul’s courier, he delivered letters to the churches, messages, and monetary gifts. Whatever needed to be done, whether big or small, Tychicus did it with a servant’s heart.

Have you ever known a believer with such a heart? How about the faithful ladies who cook a full supper for the Wednesday night service, clean up afterwards, and do it all over again the following week? And what about the kind greeters at the church entrance who dispense smiles, hugs, and prayers? Many people jostle for positions of importance and respect in church, yet are unwilling to do the small, but equally important tasks. You might reach more people for God as you perform the tasks that others won’t.

If you believe the work you do for God is small and insignificant, you are not alone. Many people feel that way. Perhaps Tychicus saw himself in that way as well, but it didn’t stop him from continuing his work. He was ready and available to do the ministry footwork which involved wearisome toil and travels that took him 500 and 600 miles away. If only Tychicus knew how important his work was to God! You see, he and his fellow workers who delivered Paul’s letters to the churches would later become the Pauline books of the bible: Galatians, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians 1, Colossians 2, Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philemon, and Titus.

The embrace you give someone as they walk into church might be the very act of love that convinces them to continue living another day. The bible lesson you teach a roomful of children plants seeds of faith that may well sustain them through their adult life. The home cooked meal you bring to a new mother makes her feel loved and nurtured. The sweet prayers you pray over that brother or sister in a hospital bed imparts joy and hope.

Paul probably felt helpless to fulfill his calling from God after the Romans locked him away in prison. But it is doubtful that the energetic Paul would ever have sat down long enough to write the letters of the gospel we regularly read and study, comprising roughly twenty-five percent of the new testament.

Whatever the circumstance, whatever the task or calling God calls you to, hasten to accomplish it, and glorify God’s name as you do it. In Christian service, the branches that bear the most fruit hang the lowest.

About the Author:

Linda Kozar is an award-winning multi-published author of traditional and indie-published fiction and nonfiction inspirational novels and books, from cozy mysteries, historical and contemporary fiction, to devotionals. Her latest releases are Sweet Tea & Thee, Devotions To Perk Up Your Day, 2025, and Gimme Some Sugar, 90 Devotions To Sweeten Your Day in a Godly Way, (BroadStreet Publishing), 2024. In 2022, Sweet Tea For The Soul (DaySpring) received an ECPA Bronze Sales Award for 100,000+ sold, and in 2021, Sunshine For The Soul took home a First Place Selah and Nonfiction Book of the Year at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. Linda was also named American Christian Fiction Writers’ Mentor of the Year in 2007. She and her husband Michael, married for 35 years, live in The Woodlands, Texas and enjoy spending time with their two grown daughters, their wonderful sons-in-law, and grands Eden and Wes.