That evening 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 food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

Matthew 14:15-16

A Mindset Change

The disciples had a problem working their minds around the tiny amount of food – just five small loaves and two fish, compared with the thousands of people Jesus was asking them to feed. It seemed impossible! “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.” (Matthew‬ ‭14:17‬ )‬‬

What they didn’t realise was that Jesus was about to do something wonderful. The food would start to multiply as they began to distribute it, until every last mouth was fed. Each disciple even had a basket of leftovers! It would have been so much easier for the disciples, and their doubts would have been instantly quelled, if Jesus had first turned the little boy’s tiny offering into a huge banquet, and then told His disciples to distribute it. But…..

I believe that, in addition to feeding those thousands, Jesus wanted to give His disciples a lesson in faith.

(Mustard Seed Blog)

To the Lord, it’s often more about what is in our hearts than what is in our wallets.

How often do we respond just as the disciples did that day, in our own giving? We see ‘the little’ and we don’t understand how God could be asking us to give to others. (I feel I must add here that when I write “giving”, I’m writing about giving to the poor ~ to those in need.)

It isn’t that we don’t want to give; we truly do. But we look at our finances and think, “I can’t afford it.” So, we tell ourselves we will hold off on the giving, “just for now, until I have enough.” And in reality we end up never giving. Every one of us has something to give, no matter how tiny. What about giving Him our other resources, such as our time? Our talent?

Every one of us has something to give, no matter how tiny. The little boy who only had five loaves and two fish gave what he had and look at what Jesus did with it!

(Mustard Seed Blog)

“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.” Matthew‬ ‭14:18-20‬ ‭

Bring what you have to Jesus, and trust Him to multiply it for His purposes!

Jill 💜

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