(2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11,15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15)
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.” (John 6:9)
Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you bring your gifts to Jesus as this young boy did, nothing much seems to happen? They just seem to sit there, undeveloped and underappreciated. Did you ever think that perhaps, to use a business parallel, the blockage is on the distribution side?
Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to just sit quietly while he multiplied the loaves. He told them to have the people recline—he told them to get the crowd ready for the miracle he was about to do. Similarly, Elisha didn’t explain away his servant’s objections, he simply repeated his instruction: “Give [the food] to the people to eat” (2 Kings 4:43). It wasn’t time to sit by and wait for Jesus to do something; it was time to get to work! And so the disciples organized the people into groups sitting on the grass, and Elisha’s servant started handing out the food. That’s when the miracles happened.
So if you want to see your offerings to God multiplied, you have an essential role to play. You may not be working the miracle yourself, but you do need to get out there and do something! It’s impossible to know what that “something” is in each situation. We all have different gifts, different life situations, different opportunities that will present themselves today. But one thing is sure: Each of us will have an opportunity to do something important for the kingdom of God.
Starting today, try your best to be open to your Father’s promptings when it comes to the people you meet, the situations you encounter, and the movements of your heart. And then take a step in whatever direction you think he is leading you. The result may surprise you!
“Heavenly Father, I am not sure how to start. But I will take a step in faith today. Show me what you have for me to do, and how my gifts can bear fruit for your kingdom.”~WAU
