Jn 6:5-7, 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?" 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
The Bible exhorts us to give thanks to GOD in all things. But to give thanks, one first needs to be conscious that they have something. The world is full of people who “never have enough”. Why don’t you try this business? «I don’t have enough capital. If only I had this much money, I would/could… I need sponsors. » Then, cut your coat according to your size! Start with something within the range of what you already have and see how GOD will multiply your income.
Why didn’t you go to…? « Oh, I would have gone but I didn’t have money to buy new clothes and shoes.” While waiting for something ‘better’, start by giving thanks for the clothes that you already have and be proud of them. When GOD will want to bless you with more, He will do it.
It’s been ages since these people came to your house and you still haven’t given them food or drinks; why? “Did I invite them? I only have one can of Coke left, two pieces of chicken and a bit of rice. I don’t even have enough for myself and you want me to share. In any case, it can’t even be enough for all of them; so, I’d better give nothing.”
Like Philip and many of us, the widow of a prophet also thought that she had nothing more than a little bit of oil at home. Nothing that could help pay her debts. But, just like the five bread, GOD used and multiplied that small bit of oil.
From the passage above, I understand that if we want to experience the miracle of multiplication and supernatural provision, two things are necessary:
1. A generous heart. He or she who does not have a heart large enough to be willing to share their ‘meagre’ resources with others is not about to see a great move of GOD in his or her life. As long as the hand is closed, you cannot put anything in it. We must learn to open our hand, and let go of what we have first, before we can open it to receive. This is why I wrote in the past that compassion is a master key for provision.
2. A profound gratitude. You cannot have more if you are not first completely grateful for the ‘little’ that GOD has graciously given to you for now. Many people are like the wicked servant of the parable of the talents (Mat 25). He despised and neglected what he had. Unlike him, the second servant did not say: « Only two talents? What am I supposed to do with just two talents? Why did he not give me five like the other one? At least, with five talents, I can do X, Y and Z.” No. Instead, he thought about what he could do with his ‘meagre’ two talents and very soon, the two became four; then eight, then… - i.e. far more than what the first servant initially received. GOD knows exactly what we REALLY need; and if He has not given us what we THINK we need yet, then ALL that we presently have is more than enough. If we truly give thanks for that and appreciate it wholeheartedly; and if we look for ways to multiply and share it, it will not take long before we see many miracles of provision in our life.
Have a great week in CHRIST JESUS!
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