Give what you have

Sometimes we only think that we have a small bit of anything to give, especially spiritually. But amazingly, it seems to be that the Lord is especially interested in those that have what they see as 'tiny' and 'small' spiritually to actually give it. Those people aren't interested in themselves or being known, but they are WILLING to give if it will help others, even in the smallest of ways. However, they don't step forward because they honestly don't believe what they have can possibly be used by THE KING for good and for filling those around them; the family of God, and even those that are close to the Kingdom. This is seen in the Word in the story of the loaves and fishes:

John 6v8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

Interestingly it was one of the disciples that noticed what the boy had to offer. No matter how young someone may be, no matter how unnoticed by others, or seemingly unimportant and inconsequential, Jesus is interested in such people feeding the small group they see, so that He can feed the MASSIVE group that ONLY HE SEES. In the disciples mind and most probably in the boy's mind, what he had was only for a few, but Jesus had other ideas. Jesus isn't that interested in what you think will happen, or the fact that, in your mind, what you have is so limiting, He is interested in what He has given you being used. He loves His people being in a place where they are acutely aware that they are extremely weak and extremely unable, not to make them feel bad, but so that they'll have a front row seat to watching what Jesus does with the very small thing we have. Being willing to give is often the first step in being one that has a front row seat to the miracle working power of our Lord.

Funnily enough, when thinking about the situation that brought about such massive feeding, it probably would've been as chaotic and as seemingly random a situation as you often find on facebook. People sat everywhere that day in all different groups, families and no doubt the pattern of people on the ground was as vast and mixed up as possible. People would've been talking amongst themselves, talking to other groups, over other groups; talking to others and across others; running from one place to the other talking about Jesus, and then talking about anything and everything else under the sun. To an ignorant observer, it would've seemed the worst place for Jesus to feed men and to work a miracle, but to Him it was perfect! All Jesus ever does is come down in the midst of a hopeless, hapless, helpless and often shepherd-less generation and work His love, His giving and His leadership. In the midst of this very ordinary and chaotic setting, Jesus fed a multitude from the small piece of food that a young boy had- so how much can Jesus feed others from the seemingly insignificant small piece you have! The answer is that not only can He feed a multitude because of His Spirit and the multiplication that He gives through His power alone, but unbeknown to you there will be BASKETFULS left over that He can use as well. If a SINGLE cup of water won't lose its reward in heaven, you can be sure that the grace we have been given in what we have to give will be rewarded by the grace in rewards that is to come. All we need is a willing heart, and an obedient heart to give when the master asks us to give. He is asking now, who will answer the call?