Our scripture this week is Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish” we say. We’re always telling the Lord how little we have with which to do the work. We operate from a position of scarcity rather than out of the abundance God has provided us. Jesus wants us to see that the gifts we have been given are enough and more.
The basis of our faith is that through Him all things are possible. He wants us to be a part of His work, but we must be willing to do as He bids, not following our own selfish motives. In order to give as He calls us to, we must be willing to give up what we have.
In verse 18 Jesus tells us “bring them here to me”. When we trust in Him, our gifts can be multiplied to work together for the good of all. By offering ourselves as He did, we are enabled to bring the gift of the Good News to the world.
Gracious God, you have blessed us beyond measure. Help us to use Your gifts wisely for the good of Your children everywhere. Amen.