John 6: 12-13
” 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.”
Over five thousand people just ate their fill of five small barley loaves and two small fish. Maybe it was six thousand people all together with women and children or maybe it was ten thousand. It doesn’t really matter, does it? A little lunch for a little boy was just transformed into a meal that filled the bellies of thousands of people. Not only did they get more than just a “bite,” as Philip had postulated, but they ate “as much as they wanted” as it says in verse 11.
Now we find out that in addition to eating as much as they wanted, there was actually more food than anyone could possibly have eaten. Jesus knew this. He knew exactly how much food had been eaten and how much was left over. He wanted his disciples to know this, too, so he told them to “Gather the pieces that are left over.” He also adds, “Let nothing be wasted.”
I personally like to think that the “Let nothing be wasted part,” was about what happened to the twelve baskets. (Twelve, by the way, is an interesting number, isn’t it?) I like to think that the little boy who offered his lunch up to thirteen men was rewarded with the baskets of food. But that is just my little idea.
Q: How do you see God’s generosity and abundance in this life?
I started to respond to this question three times this morning and stopped short because it is difficult to measure God’s blessings. If I had to go out and buy twelve baskets of bread right now, I could. However, God’s generosity to me goes beyond monetary provision…to things that can’t be brought.
I agree with Rob. It is very hard to evaluate and measure God’s faithful provision. I take a lot for granted – like the air I am breathing right now. But there is great value in thinking upon His blessings and being thankful for them. It allows us to think rightly and have a positive attitude and a thankful one. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18).
I see God’s generosity and abundance all around us. The thing that strikes me the most about discussing God’s generosity is how He enjoys giving good things generously and graciously. We get the privilege of being able to join in with the blessing of being generous and giving grace to others – it is a benefit to them, but also a joy to us. In generosity Jesus has taught us with both His words and example.
Our Lord saved me in middle age and I had this nagging question, why am I still here? I had done what God asked me and I was still here. I continued going to to my church, studying God’s word, and eventually I got it. “I was to remain here for however long God determines and become the brightest burning light I could possibly be, by allowing Jesus Christ to be seen in all I do!”
As a non believers I was dead. My body functioned but my spirit was dead. Accepting Christ, I was given spiritual life and required to eat His spiritual food to become the giant, the flood light God would have me be.
I am required to allow Christ to work through me in whatever way He chooses. I don’t do what I want to do, I do what Christ wants me to do, I had to try different things until I found the contentment, peace and joy in my service to God. I handed out papers, greeted at the door, put up chairs in the class rooms, visited the elderly, handed out leaflets, and I eventually found a place to serve with a glowing heart. I reached the point in life where I fully understood, THE HIGHEST CALLING IN LIFE IS TO BE A GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT FOR GOD.” I also became more aware of the spiritual food, the power I required to do and grow in ministry is freely given to us and greater than our ability to consume. ”
I am perfectly content, and will with great pleasure spend whatever time God has determined for me to be here, being known as His servant, and enjoying the abundance of power He so generously provides for me to be effective as He does His will through me.
John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Matthew 4:4, But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'”
Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
James 1:1, Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Psalm 16:11,You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
After Salvation, our greatest gift from God is being allowed to serve Him here on earth.
Thank you Ron without you knowing you are speaking to me a few years before I became a Christian. Awsome words brother.
Wow! Great comments again today. I see an abundance of God’s love in all of the responses here. Thank you for sharing!