However small, Jesus can use it

“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish.” John 6:9 NIV

If you feel you’re not talented enough to be used by God, read the story of the feeding of the five thousand. Actually, there were five thousand men. If you add women and children, the number could be more than twenty thousand. And the boy’s lunch was more meagre than you imagine. A loaf was about the size of a mini pancake. The word for fish refers to sea creatures about the size of sardines. But what made that little lunch a big feast is what the boy did when Jesus asked him for it. He gave it willingly. He didn’t say, “Lord, you can have one fish, but I will keep the other one. You take three loaves, and I will keep the other two.” He gave Jesus everything He asked for. Now think about the results of his act of sacrificial kindness. (1) The original lunch didn’t fill up even a single basket, but the leftovers filled twelve baskets. This illustrates the harvest law taught in scripture. When you give to God, you always get back more than you give (see Luke 6:38 NCV). And when you withhold, you rob yourself of His blessing. “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want” (Proverbs 11:24 ESV). (2) By meeting the needs of others, his own needs were met. “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted” (John 6:11 NIV). The truth is that when you give God what you have, you will be amazed what He does with it.

The Word for You Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from Celebration Enterprises, Inc. Copyright © 2024