When I am eating and sharing a meal with friends and family, it is easy for me to get distracted by what they have on their plate, especially if it is something different than what I have. The sights, size, and smell all attract my wandering eyes. Every now and then, if I am with a kind friend, they may offer a bite of their meal, or I may even sneak my fork over to their plate to give the food a try. Usually in this situation, it is not hard for me to reciprocate, and I ask, “Would you like to try a bite?” However, there are times when I am especially hungry or when I am eating my favorite foods that I feel a bit selfish and do not want to even offer a taste to the people I love the most.
The popular story of Jesus feeding a large crowd is found in several placed in the Gospels. The account in John 6:1-15 shares with us the important detail that the lunch that was shared with thousands that day was the lunch that belonged to a boy. We often use this story to teach children the power and importance of giving. This miracle did, in fact, take place because of a young boy’s obedience and response. The Bible is mysterious, though, and we do not know the motives of the young boy’s heart. Was he simply spotted by Andrew and made to share his food? Did he see the need himself and respond to the infamous miracle-worker standing before him? We do not have the answers to these questions, but there are some simple truths from this story we can remember and teach to our children.
- Giving is a blessing. On that day, thousands of people were fed and were blessed because of giving. Even if the boy had only given his lunch to the person next to him and it fed just one person, it still would have been a blessing to that person. When we give, it blesses others.
- When we give to others, we place it in the hands of Christ. The boy in this story and the disciples did not know the outcome of the small lunch. All they knew to do was offer Jesus what they had. Often when we give, we worry about our own motives or even the motives of those to whom we are giving. We want to make sure what we are giving is put to good use; this is being a good steward, and it holds merit. When we give to others, we are being the hands of Christ through the Holy Spirit. We are doing the miraculous.
- Sometimes giving is easy, and sometimes it is difficult. As mentioned, we do not know the motives and attitude of the boy in this account. Perhaps giving his food away that day was easy, and he was eager to get rid of it. Maybe he was forced to share by an adult nearby who saw what he had. Perhaps he even felt apprehensive and questioned the whole situation, but something was happening in his heart and mind telling him to just see what might happen if he offers his lunch. We may never know. But what we do know about ourselves—about humans—is that sometimes we give joyfully, sometimes we give because we feel forced, and sometimes we give as an act of obedience. Scripture does remind us that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), so we should always ask the Lord to help our attitude and posture when giving is difficult.
As we encounter opportunities to give and endeavor to teach the children around us to be generous, let us remind them not only of the truths but also of the thoughts and feelings associated with giving. Whether giving is simple or hard to do, we place it in the hands of Christ and trust that it will be a blessing.
– Joy Hensley / International Children’s Ministries Director