He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” Luke 9:13-14
“We have only five loaves of bread and two fish…” Looking out over this crowd, hearing Jesus’ instructions to feed them, how hopeless and confused must the disciples have felt! They saw what they had, but they also saw how little they had. They were much more aware of what they lacked and how much more they needed. How many times have you looked at your life and seen the same thing? Whether it’s a physical need, like food or finances, or an emotional need, like strength, or hope, a scarcity mindset often causes us to react in fear and self-protection.
But where the disciples saw scarcity, Jesus knew the abundance that would be provided. The five loaves and two fish becomes enough to provide for over 5,000. The little we have is an opportunity to see God provide.
Read this story again, and imagine yourself as a disciple. What does the crowd look like? How does it feel when Jesus asks you to provide something to eat? How do you respond to him? Now ask yourself, what is Jesus asking you to give that you feel like you lack? Ask him to increase what you have so that he will be glorified. Look for ways that Jesus is showing you abundance where you saw scarcity this week.
By Jessica Rust
