Early one morning Josh’s mother packed him some lunch and he left. As he walked along, kicking a stone every so often, he saw many people gathered together. He wondered what it was and drew nearer, seeing a man talking to the people.
His mates had told him there was a great healer around, so this had to be him. It was his lucky day. Open mouthed he listened to what the man said and watched in awe as he did one miracle after the other. Wow, this was cool. As lunchtime drew nearer, he started to get hungry and opened his lunch pack. He was just about to take out the first bread, when a man tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hi boy.”
The man smiled friendly and Josh nodded.
“May I have that?” the man asked, pointing to the food.
Josh touched his tummy. He was really hungry. Was this man hungrier than he was? He started to shake his head.
“It’s for the Master.” The man pointed to the teacher.
For him anything, Josh thought, and handed over his lunch pack. His stomach complained and Josh wondered what was going to happen to his lunch. Didn’t the teacher bring his own food? Well if he wanted it, Josh would go without. He’ll have some use for it, Josh knew. The rest of the day would just not be so nice, since he was really hungry.
“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten,” (John 6:5-13).
Josh in our story gave what he had and Jesus used it to serve many others. He had only enough for himself and if he hadn’t given it, it would have been enough for him and he would have been satisfied. Jesus, however, took his simple sacrifice and multiplied it to bless and fulfil many needs, even to the measure that it was more than required – in abundance.
Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (in abundance).” We, however, have to trust Jesus to take what we give and turn it into abundance. The thief will try to stop us from giving what we have, telling us that once we’ve given it, it’s gone forever. He wants to rob us from the blessing there is in giving. Many believe this lie, which is why many people only live for themselves. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” (Luke 6:38). This applies to anything we give – love, encouragement, teaching, support, help, etc.
Lord, please help me to give what I have.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
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