As we talked about our subject matter for this week, Generosity, my Wheel of Fortune spinner sped past a number of Biblical examples of Generosity and stopped here, at one of my favorite stories.
Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”
John 6:3-5
People had come from everywhere, from far and near, but in their desire to be close to Jesus and hear Him speak, they had not come prepared. They had nothing to eat. It tells us all we need to know about Jesus that He was thinking much less about the crazy frenzy that surrounded Him and much more about the well being of His listeners. The disciples were coming up empty. And then this.
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:8-9
I find it striking that at a gathering that numbered in the thousands, there appeared no other contributors but a boy with a relatively miniscule offering. Those who had food, likely felt a need to retain it for themselves, and however much we might like to think otherwise, the disciples likely had wrinkled foreheads as well. What was Jesus thinking? That was the main purpose. Not just for Jesus’ disciples, but for everyone gathered there. And Jesus used an unlikely person to demonstrate what God can do with gifts generously given.
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 6:10-13
Great gift or small, the question is whether or not the gift given emanates from our hearts. Paul gives us at least a couple qualifiers.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Romans 15:2
I am reading between the lines, but as an oldie with a lot of life experiences, I rather think that Andrew didn’t address the boy directly. I likely wouldn’t. What could a kid have? I find it much more likely that the boy approached Andrew, hearing him asking others, and offering his food freely. As a teacher of 50+ years, I have seen many acts of kindness by my students that more often than not went unnoticed. But not unnoticed by God.
As I finish up today: realize what an even greater thing happened here on the hillside! Not only was there a miracle that grew out of the unselfish boy’s gift — food for everyone — but every person who left the gathering took away with them the message of the generousness of God who took little and made much.
It all started with one generous little boy!! And some fish!!
by Bruce Hanson
