The disciples watched Jesus feed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread. Days later, he fed 4,000 people with 7 loaves of bread.
   On both occasions, the disciples were taught that a little in Jesus' hands is a lot.  All were fed and there were plenty of leftovers.  (Check out Mark 6:30-56 and 8:1-13)
   These were amazing lessons, but somehow his disciples never seemed to get it. 

   Despite having seen the feeding of 5,000, when the need arose to feed 4,000, the disciples again asked in disbelief how they could feed so many with so little bread.

   And then after
 miraculously feeding the 4,000 as the 12 disciples were journeying on with Jesus, they started stressing out because they only had one loaf of bread for the 12 of them.

   Jesus turned and asked them, "Why are you talking about having no bread?" (Mark 8:17). 

   5000 with 5 loaves. 4000 with 7. 12 with 1 loaf. Duh.  You can almost hear Jesus saying, "Are you kidding Me?"

   We would have fit in great with this group.

   Time and time again, we face challenges and needs.  We are asked to give, to help. But we look at what we have (and don't have) and quickly determine we don't have anything.  We have "no bread."  All we have is...  It just isn't possible. 

   If we listen carefully we can hear Jesus asking us, "Why are you talking about having no bread?" 

   This Sunday is Loyalty Sunday. It's the one day in the year when the church invites us to pledge our financial support for the upcoming year of ministry. We are asked to give.

   Our giving is vitally important to the church.  It's essential to our personal spiritual growth.  We grow closer to God through giving.  We are blessed by giving.

   But again our "no bread" attitude can try to take over.  We are tempted to immediately dismiss the invitation and responsibility.  I just don't have any.  I don't have enough.  All I have is...  Giving just isn't possible.

  In the midst of it all, I can hear Jesus again asking you and me the same question.

   "Why are you talking about having no bread?" 

   We are so quick to forget the countless occasions when God made our little more than enough.

   Jesus invites us to trust him and his constant provision and challenges us to live and give as if we trust him. 

   We will unpack these truths Sunday as we pursue deeper giving.  I look forward to seeing you then.  Thank you for your faithful support.

   God bless you!