Creative Offerings

Creative Offerings

All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

When Mindy was a child, unexpected company often arrived at her family’s modest home right at suppertime. Her job was to stir up another batch of corn bread to stretch the meal as her mother greeted the guests. At the table, Mindy’s mother would give her a wink that said, “Thanks for your help.”

I think of that little girl whenever I read the John 6 account of a problem the disciples had that couldn’t be solved with an extra batch of corn bread: Five thousand men and their families had shown up unexpectedly for dinner! As Jesus watched the crowd approach, he tested Philip by asking where they could buy bread. The disciple had no clue how to deal with the problem and exclaimed that working for months wouldn’t provide enough money to feed such a crowd.

In the midst of their discussion, the disciple Andrew stepped forward with a little boy who apparently had offered his own lunch. But even as Andrew reported the amount of five loaves and two fish, he doubted its usefulness.

Jesus didn’t argue but gave Andrew instructions: “Tell everyone to sit down” (6:10). Then he took the bread and the fish, offered thanks, and began handing out the food.

Did the little boy’s eyes widen as he watched his food multiply? Was he astonished the Teacher had created a miracle out of his little lunch? Perhaps he just stood there grinning. And maybe Jesus winked his thanks.

Too often, my response to many of life’s crises is like Philip’s—bewilderment— because I see the problem rather than God’s solution. But gradually I’m learning to offer what I can, just like Mindy’s corn bread and the little boy’s lunch, and watch what the Lord does. —SANDRA

Lord, too many times I withhold what I have because I’m convinced my little won’t make a dent in so great a problem. Help me to look to you rather than at the situation. Help me to trust you to multiply even the simplest gift.

Give what you have. To someone it may be better than you dare to think.

—HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW (1807–1882), AMERICAN POET