Who Says It’s Not Enough?

As you likely know, multiplication is a key word that we use in LCMC to illuminate what we believe God is calling us to do with disciples and churches. Last month I began a four-part series on what Jesus has to teach us regarding multiplication from one of the most remarkable multiplication stories in human history: the feeding of the five thousand as recorded in Matthew 14.
 
We began learning the lesson that multiplication starts with you and me, followers of Jesus, being motivated with a burden for others. When the disciples saw the hungry crowds, Jesus commanded them, “You give them something to eat.” This month, we pick-up right where we left off: Exasperated, the disciples respond to Jesus, “But we only have five loaves and two fish!” In other words, the disciples took stock of all of the food resources that they had at their disposal and determined that it was not enough.
 
I don’t know about you, but when I think about how Jesus calls his followers in the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all people, I get a bit overwhelmed. It is hard to imagine what I can meaningfully contribute to such a humongous task! I look at what I have—my time, my talents, my resources—and just like the disciples, I quickly determine that it is not enough!
 
In spite of this completely logical determination, Jesus gives another shocking command that we have no choice but to pay attention to: “Bring them here to me.” No matter how meager our resources might seem, no matter how inadequate or insufficient we might feel, Jesus’ command is clear: bring me what you have.
 
In our human understanding of economy, what we have is clearly not enough. But Jesus takes all of our “not enoughs” when presented to him and his service and not only does he make it enough, he makes an abundance that is more than we could ever have imagined.
 
Jesus’ first disciples got to experience first-hand the miracle of multiplication of the five loaves of bread and two small fish. They witnessed how God took their insufficient resources and made them sufficient to accomplish God’s will and purpose that day. And this lesson continues to enlighten and form Jesus’ followers today as we bring all of our “not enoughness” and present it to the Lord of multiplication miracles. Who says it’s not enough?
 
 
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Pastor Bryce Formwalt is the Director of Mission Growth for LCMC Texas District and Program Director of Harvest Workers, an online ministry training program (learn more at www.harvestworkers.net). Residing in Georgetown, Pastor Bryce is available to coach congregations on mission. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments: 512-942-7776 or bryce@lcmctexas.org.