Just returned from a pastors meeting where we looked at the spiritual disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, study of the word (inward disciplines) and simplicity, solitude, submission, service (outward disciplines). During one of our exercises we were asked to close our eyes as one of the pastors lead as through the story of the feeding of the 5000 recorded in the synoptic gospels.
We were asked to imagine ourselves as the young boy with five barley loaves and two fish and the impressions it left on us. This morning I studied the text again only to discover yet another facet of this beautiful story.
What we sometimes forget is that Jesus was literally at the peak of His ministry during this time, and His popularity we are told was spreading. Large crowds of people were earnestly following Him. In fact we are told that a large crowd of people had gathered to hear Him, and they were hungry.
We don't know a lot about the little boy with his five barley loaves and two fish whom Andrew brought to Jesus. We don't even know his name. But we do know he was poor, because he had barley bread, which bible scholars tell us was the cheapest of all bread. He also had two small fish probably the size of sardines. The point is he didn't have much to contribute with but he gave what he had to Jesus.
In the same way, I believe God wants us to bring what we have to serve Him. This boy gave his meager lunch to Jesus. This lunch could not possibly feed all the men, women and children (some estimate a crowd of at least 15000 people). He was a young boy; a nobody in the eyes of most. But that which seemed insufficient and insignificant became sufficient and significant when placed in the hands of Jesus.
The story of the feeding of the five thousand reminds me that it is not what you bring that makes the difference but to whom you are bringing it to. God can do a lot of good in the world with very little. I have found in life that very often those who have the least are willing to give more to further Gods call, because they recognize that if anything good results, it has to come from God.
So don’t be afraid to bring what you have to God. God can take whatever you have, bless it, and use it to touch many. It is not the size of the gift or talent that counts but ultimately into whose hands the gift is given.
God bless