“Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.” John 6:5-13
“You say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:17-20
The disciples thought they hadn’t enough, and the Laodiceans thought their wealth was ample- for themselves. Jesus upended both insufficiency and self-sufficiency to turn His people to Him as the all-sufficient Source for the spread of His goodness. His message is consistent: He is the giver of all, and supplies and multiplies His measure for His kingdom purposes. (James 1:17)
Our Lord’s thoughts, ways, and sights are far different from ours. Often what we view with limited vision is narrow and provincial. My troubles are the biggest, my challenges the worst, my responsibilities the weightiest, my needs the most urgent, and my self-determined boundaries better not be crossed. In other words, life is all about me. But when Spirit works and the Lord of multiplication and wide living enters, He opens the door to new possibilities. He pesters with the inner heart to transform our motivation and broaden desire. He grants new filters for new spiritual perspective that takes in new horizons for the spread of His truth, light, and sustenance. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Are we living timidly, doubting God’s promises, pessimistic about His goodness, afraid to step out in faith? Are we living narrowly, avoiding risk, hoarding resources, guarding against lavish giving? What fears and selfishness is He calling us to confess? What new vistas for contribution and service might He open if we answered His call to deeper trust and intimacy?
Lord, daily fit me with Your eternal perspective so I see with Your possibilities, live generously, and serve zealously for Your sake and glory.
As the rain and snow 