“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – Ronald Reagan
I am reminded of the story in the Gospel of John where we see Jesus presented with a logistical problem. He finds himself in a remote area, surrounded by more than 5,000 people, who are becoming hungry. I love that, instead of turning from these people’s needs, Jesus responds to it. Now the Bible says Jesus already knew what He was going to do (John 6:6) but, He wanted His disciples to be part of the solution so, He put the problem to them. The disciples did some quick math and concluded that they would need more than 6 months wages to cover the cost of providing enough bread for everyone in attendance to have even a taste. The situation was humanly impossible.
But – this is the point where the story gets interesting – the disciples had been with Jesus a little while now and I suspect had started to catch on to the fact that Jesus (a) loves to help people; and (b) is a master of increase. The story tells us that a young lad came to Andrew with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish in his lunch box. It often goes unsaid but I can’t help but notice this boy is clearly the only one of the 5000 to have had the foresight to bring a little tucker. I’ve also concluded he must’ve been Italian as we always tend to be thinking of our next meal but a few minutes after finishing our last – I digress. Still doubting, Andrew brought the young man to Jesus and said “what good will this do among so many people?”.
I love the response of this young boy to the problem at hand. While he must have known that the contents of his lunchbox could not solve the entire problem, he was willing to use what he had to be part of the solution. He brought his resources to Jesus and, from that, Jesus was able to amplify what he had to bless the entire multitude that day. Not to mention, the Bible tells us there was a huge surplus left over.
Psalm 1 teaches us that it is what we DO that will prosper. Sometimes we just need to bring something to Jesus for Him to bless. If we hold on tightly to what we have, that is all it will ever be. If the young boy in this story had eaten his lunch, which he was perfectly entitled to do, that is all it would ever have been. But, the act of bringing it before Jesus brought increase and blessed all those around him.
You will regularly find that needs and financial stress will arise amongst family and friends. While you might not be able to solve all the problems yourself, don’t disqualify your ability to be part of the solution. Remember, it is what you DO that will bring about increase and blessing.
Here are three ways you can support those around you:
It is an incredible blessing to be able to support those around you. Don’t let your inability to solve the entire solution stop you from being a support and being part of the solution! And generosity has its own reward!
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” – Apostle Paul (Acts 20:35)