When Jesus said to His disciples, “You feed them,” they responded like most of us, “With what?” Jesus responded calmly to His disciples’ doubt. He asked them one simple question: “What do you have?” Then He went on to show them (and us) that we have forgotten two very critical things—1) our own resources or gifts and 2) the power of God.

 

We all have spiritual gifts it is clearly stated in 1 Cor. 12:4-11. There are at least five loaves and two fish in every church! Some of us are gifted to understand and teach the Bible. Others are natural leaders able to attract others to church or Bible study. The bottom line is, when we place what we have—even if it feels as if it is nothing—into Jesus’ hands, He blesses it and makes it more than adequate for the task He calls us to do.

 

We must also remember that “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). This is our most overlooked resource. We lean on ourselves and forget who is working through us. We leave the power of the living God on the sidelines. We must accept and embrace our calling to use whatever resources we have to feed the hungry sheep in our communities.

 

There is a population starving for the Word of salvation, though they may not realize it, yet! We may never be in a time or place in life where we can have such a tremendous impact for God. Let’s commit to offer everything we have to Jesus, relying on His power, and see what happens. What do you have to offer? Take inventory of your gifts. Bring them to Jesus. Follow the words of the wonderful old hymn “Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee.” He will do great things.

 

In His Service,

Eric Barnes