Gratitude and Generosity | Mark 6:30-44
Tuesday | October 13, 2020 |
Mark 6Gratitude and Generosity
By: Pastor Emlen Bailey
Mark 6:30-44 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
What is the biggest party that you have ever hosted? For some of you, it would be a weekend cookout with 10 people. For some of you, it would be a wedding or some other event with 100 plus people. I can’t imagine any reason that someone would need to host more than that many people at one time. But no matter how big your gathering is, there is something that needs to be thought out before people start arriving... What are we going to feed all these folks?
Well, Jesus and the Disciples obviously did not think that particular thing through prior to leading all these people out in the wilderness. This story takes happens in a desolate place that Jesus and His Disciples were heading to so they could rest. But there was something about Jesus that just drew people in to Him. So, although they weren’t planning on throwing a party, the party came to them.
Isn’t it amazing that Jesus doesn’t want to turn anyone away? Even when the Disciples were begging Him to release the people so that they could go find something to eat, Jesus wanted to keep everyone close. He ordered His disciples to feed these people. I get nervous when two or three extra people show up. I bet they were sweating trying to figure out how to do what Jesus had asked of them.
But this wasn’t just a test of the faith of the Disciples, it was an opportunity to teach us all of God’s provision. We have all quoted Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” And that statement is absolutely true, but as with so many things in the Kingdom, we have some responsibility. Those two responsibilities I am referring to are GRATTITUDE and GENEROSITY.
In the story, the Disciples bring what little they have to Jesus, 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Who are they going to feed with that small amount? But that meager portion did not discourage Jesus. He was grateful for what they had. He looked up to Heaven, and thanked God for the meal. No matter how little or how much you have in your life, be grateful for what the Lord has given you.
Next, we see Jesus distribute this meager meal among all the crowds who had gathered around Him. Instead of hording what He had because it wasn’t going to last too long, He gave. Jesus lived His life generously, and God always came through. If you are generous with what the Lord has given you, there will always be something to give.
If you are generous with what the Lord has given you, there will always be something to give.
The two keys to seeing God’s provision in your life are GRATTITUDE and GENEROSITY. I have never seen someone who was grateful go without, and I have never seen someone who was generous be without something to give. I truly believe that Jesus was teaching us these two principals in this story. When we live our lives like this, we can expect the same kind of miracles to happen. Not only did God supply all their needs according to His riches and His glory, but He gave increase. They had more when they ended than when they started! AuthorPastor Emlen Bailey
