This idea came to mind as I was reading and journaling this morning. I was reading the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people found in the book of Luke (chapter 9). Jesus is teaching this massive group of people (said to be 5,000 men plus women and children). His disciples tell him to send them away to go find dinner but Jesus responds and tells them to feed this huge group. They are like- “Impossible!” He asks them to give him what they do have which is only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. From this he creates the miracle that feeds this crowd.

I imagine they were thinking this meal was already going to be small for their own group and now they were asked to share not with just one but thousands of people. It could have been real easy to stress and have a scarcity mindset- that there will not be enough for them. And that God will ask them to give up all they have and then they will be left with nothing. But that is the lie of the enemy- that God cruelly makes us give all we have for the benefit of others and then we are left empty. It is true that He often asks us to give up what we have for the benefit of others. But the lie is the scarcity part. The enemy wants us to believe we will have nothing and be worse off than before. But we serve a God of generosity and abundance not scarcity. He takes what little we have to offer and multiplies it to bless others and to abundantly bless us.

Jesus took their small food offering and multiplied it. Everyone ate as much as they wanted – like a Hometown Buffet. Not only that- there was leftovers!!!! And not just one to-go box but 12 baskets!!! It was the gift that keeps on giving. What at first seemed like not enough – it is overflowing and has to be shared even more. It is like after a party and you have so many leftovers that they will not fit in your fridge so you beg people to take some home so you do not have to throw it away.

This passage shows us how hospitable Jesus was and is. It says when they followed him- he welcomed them. He feeds them. Nothings says hospitality like food and a lot of it. Who doesn’t love to be invited to a meal? I think of when we first moved to Durham, North Carolina. I met this mom that was walking by and she invited our family into her home for dinner. I was floored. This was the Southern hospitality I was hoping for. At first I was disillusioned by my expectations. I had expected to be greeted with some sweet tea and plate of cookies as we were unpacking. But this sweet offer made up for it. I also remember a couple in our church plant who invited us to their home for dinner. It feels so welcoming to be fed. Food is my love language. Acts of service (5lovelanguages.com) is my top love language so I guess it was the act of them preparing their home and the meal that felt like such service to this newly relocated family. This story reminds me that God takes what little we have to offer and multiplies it be enough, more than enough.