The beauty of compound interest is that small, consistent investments grow exponentially over time. This mirrors how small, faithful steps in our spiritual lives and relationships yield eternal rewards. We often underestimate the power of a kind word, a moment of prayer, or a deliberate choice to do what is righteous instead of what is expedient or self-serving.
Just as small positive investments can lead to great growth, the reverse is also true. Neglecting the small things—choosing distraction over prayer, prioritizing busyness over meaningful time with loved ones, or letting a misunderstanding go unresolved—can accumulate into spiritual debt and relational distance. Paul warns us in Galatians 6:8, “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” When we neglect spiritual disciplines or relationships, we sow seeds that bear painful consequences. These are not always immediate, they may take time to grow and fester until the effort needed to undo them seems overwhelming.
The good news is that God’s grace allows us to start over. Whether you’ve built up spiritual debt or let relationships falter, it is not too late to begin making positive investments. God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). A single step toward God, no matter how small, begins the journey back. James 4:8 promises, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Open your Bible today, say a simple prayer, or sit quietly in His presence. He is ready to restore and renew.
We can also reach out with humility and grace. Apologize where needed, forgive where possible, and make an effort to reconnect. A small gesture can be the first step to repairing even years of relational distance.
The challenge with small steps is that results aren’t immediate. But compound interest takes time. Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” When we invest in our relationship with God, He is faithful to grow the fruit of His Spirit in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Ultimately, the small steps we take are acts of faith. They declare that we trust God to multiply our efforts. Relationships, especially our relationship with God, are not about quick fixes but about steady, faithful growth. Over time, these investments will yield dividends that extend beyond this life.
Take a moment today to make a small deposit in your relationship with God or someone you care about. It might seem like a drop in the bucket now, but one day, you’ll see the overflowing abundance of what God can do with even the smallest step of faith.