God Blesses What I Bring Him

In Ecclesiastes 11:1 I read, “Be generous, and someday you will be rewarded.” (CEV)

Whatever I give to God, he multiplies.

If I give God my talent, he’ll multiply it. If I give God my energy, he’ll multiply it. If I give God your money, he will multiply it. Whatever I give to God, he will multiply and give it back.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 says, ““Be generous, and someday you will be rewarded.” (CEV)

To teach this truth, Jesus did a miracle. Five thousand people followed Jesus out into the middle of the desert. He taught them all day, and at the end of the day, they were hungry. The disciples told Jesus to send everyone away. Instead, Jesus told the disciples they needed to feed the people. I’m sure the disciples wondered, “What is he doing?” He was testing their faith. He wanted to see if they would depend on him to provide what they needed to feed 5,000 people.

Out of that huge crowd, one little boy had brought lunch, and inside were five little loaves of bread and two dried fish. The boy brought his lunch to Jesus and said, “Lord, you can have this.”

Jesus took the bread and loaves. He prayed, broke it, blessed it, and multiplied it. It fed all 5,000 people, who were also the 5,000 witnesses to this miracle. Not only that, but there were 12 baskets full of leftover fish and loaves!

God always gives me more than I need, more than I anticipate, and more than I can imagine. He took what the boy gave him. He broke it, he blessed it, and he used it.

That’s what God will do in my life. He takes what I bring to him, even the broken parts, and uses it for good.

I need to learn to offer Jesus what I have today. He’ll bless me and use me to bless others.

In summary, learn to be generous, and someday I will be rewarded. For whatever I give to God, he will multiply. If I give God my talent, energy, and money, whatever I give to God, he will multiply and give it back. To teach this truth, Jesus did a miracle in front of the Disciples and five thousand people. Jesus told the disciples they needed to feed the people. One little boy had brought lunch, and inside were five little loaves of bread and two dried fish. The boy brought his lunch to Jesus and said, “Lord, you can have this.” Jesus took the bread and loaves. He prayed, broke it, blessed it, and multiplied it. Afterwards there were 12 baskets full of leftover fish and loaves! God always gives me more than I need, more than I anticipate, and more than I can imagine. He took what the boy gave him, broke it, blessed it, and used it. That’s what God will do in my life. He takes what I bring to him, even the broken parts, and uses it for good. I need to learn to offer Jesus what I have today. He’ll bless me and use me to bless others.

In this chapter, Solomon summarizes that life involves both risk and opportunity. Because life has no guarantees, I must be prepared. Solomon does not support a stingy, despairing attitude. Just because life is uncertain does not mean I should do nothing. I need a spirit of trust and adventure, facing life's risks and opportunities with God-directed enthusiasm and faith. 

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.