Generosity

 

John 6:3-15

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³ Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. ⁴ Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. ⁵ When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. ⁷ Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” ⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ⁹ “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. ¹¹ Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹² When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” ¹³ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. ¹⁴ When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”

¹⁵ When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

What was were five loaves and two fish among this huge throng? Yes, a few people might benefit from the boy's generous offering, but how could everyone receive even a crumb? Yet, everyone was satisfied and 12 baskets of "left-overs" were gathered. A miracle for sure. Does this happen today?  Can it happen today?

If we think, "What difference will my poor contribution make?" and hold back, yes, we will help no one, but if we give even a little of ourselves, especially our time, we will see a chain reaction inspired by  our generosity. United with Jesus, no gift is too small and will go further than we ever thought possible We all have something to give.  Let's not hold back.

Bro. Rene