Offering What Little You Have

Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. -John 6:12 (NIV)

Jesus and his disciples are sitting up on a mountainside near the Sea of Galilee when a crowd begins to gather. Jesus asks Philip where they can buy enough food for all of the people to eat. Philip replies that eight month's worth of wages would not be enough to provide each person with even just a bite. Another one of the disciples, Andrew, speaks up about a boy who has five small barley loaves and two small fish. Still, Andrew is unsure how so little food can go so far in serving so many. Jesus takes the bread and fish that the boy has brought, gave thanks to God for it, and then distributes as much food as the crowd wants. After every one has their fill, there are twelve baskets of bread remaining.

I want to be more like the boy in this account but find that I am often more like Philip and Andrew.

When Jesus asks where they can get food to feed the crowd, it seems Philip's first reaction is to say that it cannot be done. Perhaps Philip is thinking only in terms of what he can do and he knows that it is humanly impossible to feed that many people.

You might argue that Andrew has a little more faith. At least he goes and assesses the situation, trying to determine if there is any way that the people can be fed. He finds a boy with a little bit of food but Andrew himself offers nothing of his own for the cause. Perhaps he doesn't have anything to offer or perhaps he just doesn't want to share.

 Jesus takes the boy's loaves and fishes, presumably not by force but because the boy is willing to give what he has to Jesus. Jesus gives thanks for the food and then begins to distribute it. Amazingly enough, there is not only enough to feed those in attendance but there are 12 baskets left over after everyone has been fed.

Like Philip, sometimes I sense a need but decide that it is impossible for me to meet it, even with Jesus by my side. Sometimes I have a little more faith, not enough to offer what I have to help meet a need, but at least I try to find someone else to help. But I want to be like the boy in this story. What I have to offer often does not seem like much but today I will offer it to God. I will be mindful that Jesus can take what little I have to offer and use it to meet the need of others.

May God grant you the grace to see the needs around you today and a willingness to offer what little you have to meet those needs.



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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are John 9-11.