John 6: 8 - 10, one of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" Then Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." NKJV
How would you like to be the person used by the Lord to feed a multitude of people? This young boy gave his lunch to the disciples out of a giving heart. Can you begin to imagine the look on his face as the disciples told him that his lunch was about to feed this vast multitude. You can almost imagine a puzzled look on his face as he tries to comprehend how this is going to be possible. I don't know of any account where Jesus miraculously provided a natural/physical need in people's lives where He used something that belonged to Him.
When He arrived at the wedding in Cana, His mother told Him that the couple had run out of wine and asked Him to fix the situation. To this, Jesus replied, "My time has not come." As He was telling her about the timing of God, she turned to the servers at the wedding and told them to do whatever He commanded them. He told them to fill six water pots with fresh water, and then He blessed it and turned it into wine. According to the governor of the feast, this was the best wine he had tasted.
When Jesus and Simon Peter arrived at Capernaum the tax collectors required them to pay a tax or tribute. Instead of pulling the money out of His pocket, Jesus told Simon to go to the water and go fishing. He told Peter that the first fish that he would catch would have a coin in its mouth, and that he should take the money and pay the tax... lest they offend the men. It didn't matter what the natural need was, Jesus borrowed from someone or something else and blessed it to supply the need of the people. Why is this so important to know and understand? Jesus doesn't have to be here in the world in His physical body in order for Him to personally supply the need of a person or a people group. All He needs are people like the young boy who are willing to give their little... that He might make it become great.
Everywhere He went, there was an opportunity for Him to preach the gospel with signs and wonders following. Likewise, you and I have an opportunity every week to be used by the Lord to create a miracle in other people's lives. He had to have something in which to bless, break, and distribute. Every time we give into the work of the Lord, we're being blessed by our giving... and it will be used by the Lord to teach someone else about the "good news." Now, if you will remember, the Bible tells us that God is a debtor to no man. What we have given to the Lord will be given back to us pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall He cause men to give to us. The young boy gave his lunch, but there were twelve baskets of fragments left over. Can you imagine the reaction when the little boy returns home with an arm full of fish and bread and tries to explain what happened to his parents?
Proverbs 19: 17, If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD--and he will repay you! NLT
Give and It Shall Be Given,
Pastor Asa
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