“Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.” (Luke 9:16–17) 

Toward the end of the day the disciples urged their Master to finally dismiss the crowd. But this was not in line with His thoughts. The “Bread of life” (John 6:35, 48) didn’t want to send the hungry people away with rumbling stomachs. Instead, He tested the faith of the twelve by saying, “You give them something to eat” (Luke 9:13). Living faith is demonstrated, among other things, by trusting that God multiplies what little we have in His mighty hand and uses it to bless others. David also prayed with this trust and said: “ In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all” (1 Chron. 29:12).

But instead of trusting their Lord and Master with all their heart and accepting this commission, the disciples relied on their understanding. This often leaves God out of the picture, and we depend only on what is visible (see Prov. 3:5). We can also apply this to our lives. How do you react when the Lord gives you a commission that far exceeds your capacities?

A little boy, who had five loaves of bread and two fish, was prepared to give them to the Lord. How often has the sacrifice of an individual become a blessing for many! Out of love for her Lord, Mary broke the very precious alabaster flask containing the precious nard and used it to anoint the Son of God. Through her devotion the whole house was filled with the perfume of the anointing oil. Barnabas also used his personal possessions to bless others. The “Son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36) sold a field so that the proceeds could be used for the needs of the believers.

The Lord Jesus took into His hands the little that the disciples brought to Him. Then He turned His eyes to heaven with trust—two glances met (see Ps. 34:15)—and He thanked the Father, from Whom every good gift comes. Later, when He taught His disciples to pray, He said, “When you pray, say… Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:2–3). He did not take food for granted, but knew that man depends on the goodness of God every day. In the Gospel of Mark, when feeding the 4000 men, we see that He even prays a second time for the fish (see Mark 8:6–7). The deliberate prayer for seemingly small things is often connected with great blessings and increases our joy and gratitude!

Under the blessing of Jesus and the thanks He gave to God, the five loaves and the two fish were multiplied in a wonderful way, so that no one had to go home hungry.

But not only that—at the end of the day, there were even 12 baskets of bread left over—one for each person who allowed the Lord to use them. The following principle of God is still fully valid in our day: “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer… Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered” (Prov. 11:24–25).

To what extent are you aware that you can only accomplish the tasks God gives you when God gives you the means or the strength to do them (see 2 Cor. 9:8; 1 Pet. 4:11)? In what areas have you already made personal sacrifices to be able to be a blessing to others? Pray consciously also for the small things of everyday life!