Limited Resources

By Rev. Richard Fisher

What do you do when you have few resources?

There are so many people who have been going through financial difficulties these last few years. We are thankful that our local unemployment rate is not as high as the nation but there are people in our area who do not have a steady job. Others are also working but have problems paying their bills. They may ask the question, “What do I do when I have few resources?”

In John 6:1-13, thousands of people had been listening to Christ’s teaching for days. They were hungry but where would they get food in the wilderness for thousands of people. We see what Jesus did when He had few resources.

The first thing Jesus did was to be a good manager even if it’s only a small amount. Andrew said to Jesus, "There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" (John 6:8)

Put in historical context, the "loaves" were more like pancakes and the fish were probably pickled and more like a relish you would put on the bread. What good would that be to this huge crowd? You could probably make about five people a snack with this resource.

We need to wisely oversee the resources God has already given us - even if the resources we have don’t seem to be adequate. We have been financially challenged before. Trusting in the Lord while managing what we have in resources and abilities has seen us through more than one difficult time.

In John 6:11, Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks to God. Thankfulness can be as simple as a matter of perspective. Don’t focus so much on what you don’t have that you fail to thank God for what you do have!

Take this letter home from a college girl:

"Dear Mom:

Sorry I haven’t written sooner. My arm really has been broken. I broke it, and my left leg, when I jumped from the second story of my dormitory...when we had the fire. We were lucky though. A young service station attendant saw the blaze and called the Fire Department. They were there in minutes. I was in the hospital for a few days. And because it was taking so long to get our dormitory livable again, I moved in with that service station attendant. He has been so nice. Don’t worry; we plan to get married just as soon as his divorce is final. I hope things are fine at home. I’m doing fine, and will write more when I get a chance.

Love,

Your Daughter, Susie.

"P.S. None of the above is true. But I did get a "C" in Sociology and flunked Chemistry. I just wanted you to receive this news in its proper perspective!"

What should we do if our resources are running low or if we do have our needs supplied? Be good manager of our resources and be thankful for all we have.