Giving to God's People

32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
33 His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
34 "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked.
"Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
Matthew 15:32-39


I love the response of Jesus’ disciple here when he replied to Jesus, as I sometimes forget just as he did, who Jesus is and just what He can do. The disciples gave what they had to Jesus, which happened to be seven loaves of bread and a few small fish and Jesus took what they gave, fed four thousand plus people and left them with seven basketfuls of leftovers! Sometimes I feel like what I have to give is not nearly enough to make a difference. How much of an impact can the Journey Bread ministry have when it is not on the best seller list or what kind of fruit can my life bear when at times I feel so broken and so weak and so vulnerable? How much can my small contribution of money help the hungry and hurting and lost people who are all around us and in such great need of so much more than just material things? And then, God shares this story with me and I remember who Jesus is and I remember the depth of His love and the limitless power of His Spirit who takes what you and I have to give and always turns our sacrifice into something beautiful that reflects His love and power to the world around us. Be encouraged today as you give away this amazing love that God has blessed you with as He will take your giving heart and use it in ways that are unimaginable. Give your life away for the cause of Christ today.