Zechariah was prophesying in Jerusalem at a time when the Temple and the city of Jerusalem was being rebuilt. There had been a relatively small number of people who had come back out of captivity, but this small number was very dedicated in what they were doing. There was a lot of opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.

Zechariah prophesied: "Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying: {9} "The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. {10} For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth"" (Zech. 4:8-10 ).

Notice the phrase in verse 10: " For who has despised the day of small things? "

Now let’s notice what Ezra recorded about this event: "But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, {13} so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off" (Ezra 3:12-13 ).

The prophet Haggai also commented on this: "'Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?" (Hag 2:3 ).

Wycliffe's Bible Commentary says: "From Ezra 3:12-13 and Haggai 2:3 it is known that in Israel many made unfavorable comparisons between the glorious temple of Solomon and the structure then being built. The time of their rebuilding is here designated as THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS."

Doing a Great Work for God!

We all would like to do a GREAT WORK for God, but the Church of God is being SCATTERED into smaller groups. Part of this is prophecy being fulfilled. Daniel prophesied: "and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished" (Dan 12:7 ).

Notice that Jesus called His followers a little flock: "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32 ).

Even though our church groups may be small in number, Jesus said: ""For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them"" (Mat 18:20 ).

Even though we may be small in number we have Jesus’ promise that He is with us, so how then can we do a GREAT WORK for God? The answer is: BY DOING THE SMALL THINGS!
God does not measure things the way we do. The large things do not always impress or excite him. In fact, some of the SMALL THINGS in the Bible teach us big lessons.

Let's look at some examples: The ANT.

"Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, {7} Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, {8} Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-11 ).

The next time you see an ant hill, take the time to observe how busy and industrious these small creatures are.

Jesus fed thousands with a small amount of food: five loaves of bread and two fish.

"And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish"" (Mat 14:17 ).

"Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children" (Mat 14:21 ).

The people had come to hear Jesus and it was getting late. Jesus was very gracious and did not want to send them away until He had fed them.

"Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine" (1 Sam 17:40 ). Let’s continue in verse 49: "Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth."

This small stone made a big difference, especially to the army of Israel and King Saul.
Let's look at another example of how something small made a big impression on Jesus Christ. 

The widow who gave two mites.

Let's Read: Mark 12:41  "Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much." {42} "Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans." {43}"So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;" {44} "for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
These two mites were two copper coins which were the smallest coins then in circulation at that time in Palestine.
Jesus noticed her attitude. All she had was a small amount of money and yet she was very generous. She gave all that she had.
Today, the widows in God’s Church, may consider their offerings small, but because of their faithfulness, they have made it possible for others to receive God's truth.
Let's look at some more small things that God notices:

A cup of cold water is a small thing.

Mat 10:42  "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

Sparrows and Hairs are small things.

Mat 10:29-30  "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will." {30} "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
According to these verses God knows when a small bird falls to the ground. Hairs are small, yet God knows how many hairs we have on our head. 

Would you consider your thoughts to be small?

Notice: Mat 9:4  "But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?"
God knows what we are thinking! We need to control our thoughts. God always notices our efforts. No sincere act of worship or service is overlooked by God. Men may despise small things but God is continually aware of their importance. It is in the small things that a person's faithfulness is really seen. No deed or kindness goes unnoticed by God. In whatever degree, small kindnesses do help others. They also help us to develop true character. We can use these small acts of Christian love to accomplish great things.

We need to be faithful in the small things. If we have trouble with the small things, how could we do the big things, such as giving up our life for someone else?
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13 ).

When you are at work, be a good employee. Think that you are working for God and not for men. Don't be late. Do a good eight hours work for an eight-hour pay.
Be the best you that you can be.
The prophet Micah asked an import-ant question: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 .
We can do justly by keeping God’s ten commandments. We can love mercy by being kind to other people. We can walk humbly with our God by realizing that we are not as great as we think we are. God is the great one, He is the potter and we are the clay.

We need to build a right relationship with God. Spend time with God in prayer, Bible study, meditation and fasting.
We need to build a right relationship with other people. Respect other people. Tolerate other people and their shortcomings. Tolerate other people's religion. Remember that most wars are fought over Religion. There is a lot of hatred involved in religion, and yet the Bible tells us to love your neighbor as you love yourself (Mat. 7:12).
The Boy Scouts have a slogan: DO A GOOD DEED EVERY DAY. A good deed may be a SMALL THING but SMALL THINGS do make a difference.
No act of service is too small if it is done to honor God.

How can we do a Great Work for God? The answer is: By DOING the SMALL THINGS!