CONCERNING GIVING (LESSONS FROM THE YOUNG LAD AND HIS MEAL)

One of the most remarkable miracles in the four gospels, was / is the feeding of five thousand men,
This Isn't taking to account the women and children.
Matthew 14:21 KJV
[21] And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

Some historians project at least thirty to fifty thousand .Very possible .
This is one of the miracles recorded in all the four accounts, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
A few lessons might have been glossed over when you are fully fixated on the spectacular.
The miracle wasn't feeding five thousand but how they were fed.
Matthew 14:19 KJV
[19] And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

The increase of five loaves and two fish to feed around 30 thousand people was spectacular.
Yet a few things could easily be lost.
A few salient facts and lessons
Firstly, obviously the ministry of Jesus had a shortage, didn’t have enough funds to feed the crowd.

John 6:5, 7 KJV
[5] When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
[7] Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

Not enough to take care of the material needs of the crowd / flock.
Miracles of supply happened glory to God.
But that aside,
A major lesson came from a seemingly insignificant personality.
The young lad who gave the five loaves and two fish.

John 6:9 KJV
[9] There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
It was so small in comparison to the need that even the apostles highlighted it like saying "this means nothing at all amongst 30,000 people"
Now let's see this, it’s very unlikely he was the only fellow with food of such nature, it likely others even had more.
Yet he gave.
It's likely the apostles went Round to ask around for folks to "lay" what they had to feed everyone...
Yet he was the only one who gave.

It's not unlikely why others didn't give is that they must wondered "what would my small salary do to meet this need"
Yet he gave despite knowing in the natural, his meal can't feed 30,000 men
Now, very vital is, no apostle nor the crowd knew what Jesus would do with the five loaves,

John 6:9 KJV
[9] There is a lad ... but what are they among so many?

So he didn't give because "his seed will make him an end time billionaire" nor did he give "for end time wealth transfer" or "24 seconds miracles"
He just gave to meet the needs of others!
His own need wasn't in consideration!
Isn't that what Paul said?
Acts 20:35 KJV
[35] I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Isn't that what he asked us to emulate in Macedonia?

2 Corinthians 8:2, 5-6 KJV
[2] How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
[5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
[6] Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

Isn't it about generosity?
Generosity isn't playing "baba Ijebu" or casino with money when we see the offering bag.
The boy / lad just gave to feed others not for 200 fold return.
He was generous
It's meeting needs of others.
Too many believers won't give sacrificially till there's a prize to be won.
It's either a raffle for them or bargaining chip!
Sad.
This lad just gave.
We don't even know his name.
He didn't ask his name be announced nor put it on Facebook.
Generosity gives to bless not to be blessed.
Be a blessing not exchange for one.
This is the grace of God exemplified.

Imagine if Jesus had announced as some won't to do today
"I have a fish and bread multiplying anointing, bring your fish and bread and see your life move to the next level"
The boy’s food would have been despised.
As many would have surpassed his meal.
Some would just bring a bakery and fish pond,
Not out of generosity but greed and covetousness.
They aren't givers but traders.

Hear Jesus
Luke 21:2-3 KJV
[2] And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3] And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
Just like Macedonia.
Now I have heard some mischievous "eisegesis" (ridiculous interpretation) claiming the boy went home with the "balance"!
Haba, something about extreme prosperity and giving teachings is its illusions and mastery at twisting scriptures.
Assuming the boy was to "get returns on the investment", it should be all that Jesus multiplied!

Not left over. 12 baskets?
When 30 thousand had been fed full.

John 6:11 KJV
[11] And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

They ate till filled to the brim.
Twelve baskets were called fragments, or crumbs of the whole
Mark 6:43 KJV
[43] And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
That said.
Nothing suggests they handed it to the lad, in fact grammatical construction suggests otherwise.
Matthew 14:20 KJV
[20] And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
Not Matthews account
Mark 6:43 KJV
[43] And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
Nor marks account
Or even Luke
Luke 9:17 KJV
[17] And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
Definitely not John
John gave us more details rather
John 6:12-13 KJV
[12] When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13] Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
It was crumbs from those who had eaten!
Not increase for the giver not to the giver. Crumbs
We should start teaching generosity not greed and covetousness.
Learn from the lad.

When there is a need in church or in people's lives
JUST GIVE
No more excuses of "will my gift/ offering / partnership be enough", "others aren't giving", "it's my only meal".
"Is there gonna be a debt breaking, dollar anointing?"
Be a true child of a giving and generous God who gives to all
Matthew 5:45 KJV
[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
He gives to both believer and non-believer richly to enjoy
1 Timothy 6:17 KJV
[17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Without expecting in return
Luke 6:34-35 KJV
[34] And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again
. [35] But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
He is already blessed, so he doesn't give to be blessed
So are we too
Just like our Father, just as the lad acted
Hope this blessed you.
I call you blessed
Jesus is lord, we win

Pastor Chris Segun Onayinka
Saints Community Church