Bring What You Have

“One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ‘There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?’” (John 6:8-9 NKJV)

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “How could a perfect God use me?” Or perhaps you’ve wondered, “How could an almighty God use what I have, my gifts or my abilities?” If you have, you are not alone!

During this time Jesus was becoming increasingly popular. So much so that huge crowds would follow Him around from place to place. People witnessed the many miracles of Jesus healing the sick, the blind, the lame. The crowds were anxiously following Him because they were needy and hungry. Can you relate to being needy and hungry? Physically, emotionally, or spiritually?

This miracle of the five barley loaves and two fish performed by Jesus is the only miracle mentioned in all four of the gospels (Matthew 14:17; Mark 6:38; Luke 9:13; John 6:9). It is interesting that none of the gospel accounts of this miracle tells very much about the boy. What we do know is that he appeared to be poor, based on the barley bread being the cheapest of all breads and he only had two small fish. So really the young boy did not have much to give to Jesus. What we must see in this miracle is that what the boy did give to Jesus was more than enough. Just like the young boy, Jesus wants us to bring all that we have to Him. No matter the quality or quantity, all that matters in giving is the attitude of the heart. Jesus takes care of the rest. At first, even to the disciples, what the boy had given was insignificant. But once placed in Jesus’ hands, it became significant.

If we give with a right heart and we give to God, He is sure to bless it. This is not speaking of finances alone. This is more than that. This is time, talents, gifts, worship, and praise. It’s never about what you bring, but to Whom you bring it. This boy had so little, yet the Lord blessed it and it became so much. Our God gives in abundance. Isn’t it beautiful how our God can do so much with so little? How He can use someone like this poor young boy to bless so many? I can tell you, so often I feel I bring so little to God. But God can and does use and multiply what we give Him, whether it’s our time, talents, or treasures.

So here is the question: What will you bring to God? When we go to church, when we fellowship with others, when we are in prayer, and when we give, it is never about us or what we give. It’s about Jesus. He is faithful to take whatever you bring and bless it. He can bless it and use it to touch the lives of many people. Just like the boy in John 6, God wants to use you. All you have to do is with a right heart bring what you have to Jesus.