With Jesus, even givers become receivers

The way it works with those who trust Jesus is that our seemingly inadequate resources are multiplied. This doesn’t mean that we can be stingy and Jesus will make us look generous. It means that when we bring it all under His Leadership and Direction, then He will pour out blessings on us and others like we can’t even imagine. The result of the feeding of the multitudes was that all 5,000 men and their families were was stuffed to the gills and they collected twelve basketfuls of leftover surplus (leftovers are always a sign of the Lord’s blessing). One basketful of filet-o-fish sandwiches for each disciple to take home to feed his family.

With Jesus the insufficient becomes an abundance; the Loaves become a Feast. So we need not hold anything back from Him or others with the fear that we Might Run Out and have nothing left for ourselves. With Jesus, even the givers become receivers. This is the pattern of God’s Grace to those who trust Him. Paul Tripp says this about grace: “Grace is God’s unrelenting commitment to deliver every resource you need to be what you’re supposed to be and do what you’re called to do.” He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Can we then trust the Lord with our finances? Can we continue even in uncertain financial times to bring the first 10% of our income into the storehouse of the church? “Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”