The Christian Wallet : Those to Whom We Give Devo

October 20th, 2019

Devotional

“The Christian Wallet : Those to Whom We Give"

 - Matthew 14: 13-21 and Ps 41: 1

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Deserted Place” - Matthew 14: 13-14

  The particular scene in today’s Gospel passage is hard to imagine. Jesus has just received unbearable news concerning his cousin John, who has been killed in a merciless way at the hands of Herod. All he wants to do is get away, yet word of his travels has already reached far and wide. People have come to this deserted place just to be in the presence of Jesus. Just to hear what he has to say and to have him heal their sicknesses. 

In the Gospel of Matthew it is not until the end of the scripture passage that we are told that a great crowd of 5,000 men came that day. While 5,000 people may be hard for us to imagine, this number only represented the men, meaning it was probably closer to 20,000 when you included the women and children. It is possible that up to half of the people in the region came to hear him that day. How can we begin to wrap our minds around that? They came by foot to this place because of that which Jesus had to offer. 

What draws people to Jesus?

What drew you to Jesus?

Prayer: God, we confess that at times we get in the way of what Jesus is trying to do in our community and in our world. We forget what drew us to Jesus and when that slips from our hearts and minds it becomes so easy to unintentionally block others from the power of the Good News. Forgive us, we pray. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Disciples Came to Him” - Matthew 14: 15-16

At some point, dinner time was drawing near. People were still around. Still seeing what Jesus was doing. Hearing what he was saying. The disciples however, started to try to shut all of it down. They knew that the closest village to get food in was probably at least ten miles away. They needed the people to start heading that way if they were hoping to get food for dinner.  

Jesus, however, had other plans. He told the disciples to give the folks something to eat. 

How often are we like the disciples? How often do we get caught up in the enormity of what we perceive before us? How often do we try to second guess what God is trying to do amongst us instead of getting out of the way and letting God be God? Perhaps that is one of the hardest lessons of faith we will ever have to learn - to get out of the way and let God be God. We don’t like to give up control. We don’t like to face the unknown let alone the unpredictable. So we start to tell God what we think is possible and what we certainly think is impossible - as if our calculations and thoughts will stop God from being God. 

What did you once think was impossible, only to find it possible with God?

Prayer: God, help us to be free us from the bondage of our own perception. Sometimes, O Lord, we cannot see what you are doing because we cannot imagine it in our minds. Free us to dream big dreams with you anew, we pray. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Nothing But” - Matthew 14: 17-18

The disciples hear Jesus’s words to feed the crowds and all they could see was what they lacked. They told Jesus they had nothing but five small loafs and two fish. They couldn’t imagine what could be done with such a meager meal - a meal the would probably not have even been enough to feed them and Jesus. It didn’t seem to be nearly enough. What could they really do with that?

But so much could be done with that offering. When the disciples handed over what they had to Jesus there was so much provided. The disciples saw what they had as meaningless in the face of the magnitude of the situation, but Jesus saw a possibility.

Jesus understood what could be done with that which was before them. When we put what we have into God’s hands by faith, God can do absolutely amazing things. We get tricked sometimes into thinking what we have is not enough so why is it worth even giving. Our small offering can’t provide much in the face of the vast needs, so why give at all. On top of that we start to worry about ourselves. We worry that if we give more, then we will have less, but in the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 contests our mathematics with God. The people were so provided for, including the disciples, that there were left overs. 

How has God provided abundantly for you? How can you share that abundance with others?

Prayer: Almighty God, help us to recognize that which is right before us. Help us to trust you to take whatever we have to offer and multiple it for the sake of your Kingdom! Amen. 

Thursday: “Bring Them” - Matthew 14: 19-21

One of the things I love about the United Methodist Church is that we are connectional. We proclaim that we can do more together than we could ever do apart, and when we bring our small offering to God - God multiples it to meet the needs of so many people. This teaches us daily dependance upon God while at the same time reminding us what a difference we can make when we come together.

The founder of United Methodism, John Wesley, also believed in the power of God’s abundance and multiplication, even when they don’t make sense to anyone else around. One of Welsey’s most famous quotes is “Make all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.” In his life time, John Wesley gave away over 30,000 pounds which is roughly equal to about 1,764,706 in today’s money. How did he do it? His first year of ministry he was paid 30 pounds, but found that he only needed 28 pounds to survive - he gave the other 2 away. As his wages increased he continued to live off of 28 pounds, giving the rest away, and watching God multiply his gift and  God continued to multiple and multiple the gift beyond what is humanly fathomable.

What is Jesus asking you to bring to him in order for him to use to bless the world?

Prayer: God of Grace, take that which we bring to you this day and do amazing things. Things to bless the world. Things for us to testify about as we leave this place. Remind us that nothing is too small to offer, when it is given in faith. Amen. 

Friday: “Consider” - Psalm 41:1

  David writes that happy are those who consider the poor. Why are they happy? Is it because it reminds them of how blessed they are? No. Is it because they can walk by the poor in the community and not give it a second thought? Absolutely not.

I believe David is saying that those who consider the poor are happy because they can be part of what God is doing in the world. When we can reach out to a neighbor in need, either through meeting a material need or simply by being present, we are being given the opportunity to share the love of Jesus. That same love that was once shared with us. As we consider the poor, we are given the opportunity to keep pointing our lives back to God, to keep returning our hearts to God, and to be part of the work of the Kingdom of God. 

Why do you give?

Prayer: God, free us to give. To give abundantly. To give for the sake of your name, we pray. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic to prepare for worship: “Work to Live or Live to Work?” - 1 Tim 6: 17-19