Often, what appears to us as insignificant effort becomes lavish generosity when placed in the hands of Jesus Christ. He receives our little offerings and sacrifices and makes them sufficient to meet the needs of others. Recently, God humbled me, causing me to again stand in awe-filled thanks of His supernatural multiplication, making our little to His enough.
Of course, Jesus has always been accepted our insufficiency and turning it into more than enough. A long time ago, a hungry crowd approached him — hungry for the words of truth about God the Father and the Kingdom of Heaven. They ignored their aching stomachs and gnawing thirst just to sit at His feet and listen.
“…he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”
John 6:5
His question only accentuated the complete natural lack around them. The disciples possessed no means with which to meet the need of 5,000 men plus women and children. Andrew scavenged through the crowd to find a few scraps among the crowd.
“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?'”
John 6:8
A Miracle
Though we may desire to offer lavish generosity to Jesus, our empty pockets, diminished resources, or failing health often limit our ability to meet the needs of those around us. But wait! Let’s not discount God’s ability to use small “lunches.” Our little becomes sufficient when given to Him.
I would like to think that Jesus gave this child a front row seat to the miraculous feast overflowing from his lunch basket. Can you imagine his wide-eyed wonder as Jesus took the loaves and the fishes, blessed, broke, and gave them to the disciples to pass out? Can you imagine his excitement as the disciples passed out more than enough food to satisfy every need and with baskets full to spare?
“When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”
John 6:12-13
The miracle proved Jesus was (and still is) who He claimed to be — the Son of God. One boy’s lunch placed in the hands of Jesus became the lavish generosity that fed thousands!
Dare I say, God continues to use whatever we offer to show His goodness and grace.
So Little
Andrew looked at the little boy and his lunch and said, “How far will they go among so many?” I, too, look at the little I offer to Jesus and have the same question. Oh, but let me tell you what Jesus can do!
Recently, I greeted a young lady and asked how she was doing. The week before I discovered her family’s need for a temporary place to live before moving overseas. I had tried and failed to find reasonably priced accommodation for them. She smiled, “We’re fine,” she said. “You have such a gentle, calming voice. I feel so peaceful when you speak.”
I laughed, explaining how as a mother of five boys I spent many years barking out orders like an military officer. Only God could take my harsh tones and turn them into a “gentle, calming voice.” Disappointed that I had no way to meet their tangible need, God took nothing more than words of comfort to bring peace in their storm.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,”
Zechariah 4:10
Handshake
Moments later, another woman approached, explaining how three weeks prior I walked over to where she sat and shook her hand. I said nothing — just looked into her eyes, smiled, and held her hand. A handshake became an offering in the hands of Jesus. In that brief, wordless contact, healing flowed into her body, releasing her from a long-term ailment.
Was it me? Not at all. Don’t come to shake “my” hand, hoping for the same! This one time, Jesus plus a handshake turned it into something substantial, meeting a need I could never have met.
“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I will. Be healed!” And immediately the man was healed from his disease.”
Matthew 8:3
As we extend our hands to others, may God use the simplicity of our little in whatever way He chooses.
Kindness
Astounded by her words, I turned to greet somone new among us. I was unprepared for the next encounter as I extended my hand and introduced myself. He recognized me immediately.
“Hi! I was your neighbor. You are the reason I’m here.”
Struggling to grasp the context of his words, I realized he was a foster child who lived across the fields from us and sat with our kids on the same school bus. Yet, I failed to recall anything significant we had done with or for this young man.
“You invited me to birthday parties and took me bowling and to church. You accepted me and were always kind.”
I could remember no special acts of kindness or going out of my way for this young man. Yes, he was among the several who came into our home and for whom I had prayed. Yes, he came on a few family activities, but … “You are the reason I’m here,” sounded like a huge exaggeration. Yet, what seemed to me as so insignificant became lavish generosity that sustained him then and through several difficult years following.
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
Romans 2:4
Humility
As you read this account may you be filled with encouragement and awe in what only God can do with even our small efforts and short prayers. By His grace alone, a gentle word, a handshake, or simple acts of kindness can and will transform and sustain the hungry around us as much as the multitudes who once sat on the hillside wanting and needing Jesus. Nothing done in faith will ever be wasted.
This is but a little glimpse of what Heaven will be like. We will meet multitudes we unknowingly impacted for eternity. We will celebrate together and have opportunity to thank perhaps hundreds of people who have invested in our lives. They too will be filled with astonishment, seeing what a deep, eternal influence they have had on us.
Small gestures of kindness may look like small barley loaves or fish to us, but in the hands of Jesus they become lavish generosity! Only God!!!
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38
Oh friends! As we give Jesus our little “lunch” of opportunities, we become like that child long ago on the hillside, witnessing the goodness and grace of God being poured out in supernatural ways. Or like Phillip, who eventually took charge of feeding orphans and widows, the miracles God does now may propel us to future areas of ministry and mission. What an unexpected reward for extremely small things!
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Thank you!