“For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.”

This old rhyme carries an important message. As Napoleon is reported to have written, “The outcome of the greatest events is always determined by a trifle.” A bit of falling foam brought down the space shuttle Columbia and a faulty O-ring was the cause of the loss of the Challenger.

Jesus gave great authority to those who learned to be faithful in the little things (Luke 19:17). Paying attention to details is a character trait. Character is that which we habitually do—principles that make us reliable, capable and respected. Let’s watch those trifles—they have a tendency to grow and mount up into problems.