Giving What You Have Is Enough

By Peter Crause

Exodus 4:2 And the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And Moses said “a rod. “

John 6:9 there is a lad here, who has five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

I have always been obsessed by not having enough. God’s call has been real for many years, but always the hindrance has been the sense of not being ready; not having enough Bible knowledge; not having enough financial security; not having enough education; not having the “tools of the trade”; not having the “gift of the gab” (whatever that means). The net result of this obsession is spiritual paralysis and ineffectiveness in the Kingdom of God. Where do you think this “obsession” comes from?

The Kingdom of God is not and has never been built by education or human ability; but by God’s ability. In fact the scriptures declare: “Except the Lord builds the house we labor in vain!” (Psalm 127:1) Jesus said: “I will build my Church.” (Matt 16:18) Paul gives us wise instruction:

1Co 1:26 for you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

What then is the problem? Why are I and so many others obsessed with our shortcomings and lack of ability? Who’s building the Church anyway?

Bible Schools and Bible Study groups are filled with folks trying to “get better equipped”. This is right and proper and is what the scriptures encourage us to do. “Study the Word to show yourself approved unto God. Become a workman that is not ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” (1 Tim 2:15) (Free paraphrase) However; here I must ask the question which only you can answer; Are you perhaps hiding behind the feeling of inadequacy and lack of ability and become obsessed with getting more fleshly wise before fulfilling your call?

In our scripture reference in Exodus, the occasion was Moses’ encounter with God at the “Burning Bush”. His excuses for not wanting to do the Lord’s will may well have been ours – had we had this encounter. Don’t be harsh on Moses – he was very human! He basically said; “I can’t do public speaking!” When God gave him the answer that only God could give; “I made your mouth”; he said; “How can I prove to the people that you sent me?” Sounds very much like the “ducking and diving” we would be capable of – right?

The Lord asked him what he held in his hand. In other more understandable words to our modern ear; “What have you got available?” Poor Moses, who once held high office and power in the king of Egypt’s court, now had only a wooden staff – a symbol of his lowly trade as a shepherd. What he had was enough for God! Throughout Moses’ ministry as the leader of Israel from Egypt to Canaan, that lowly rod was the instrument used to accomplish the task. God used it in the hand of Moses to accomplish the humanly impossible. He became the “greatest prophet” who ever walked the earth – spoke “face to face” with God – but never lost the symbol of his lowly estate and humility.

Was it Moses who accomplished the task? Yes and No! Yes he was God’s vessel; No he was God’s vessel. “Moses! What is in your hand?” – Child of God; what have you got to offer to Him?

We move ahead many centuries in time to the ministry of our Lord Jesus. The occasion of this incident was when Jesus was teaching in the wilderness – far enough away from village or city to adequately provide food to feed five-thousand men. Do you think that maybe Jesus chose the location on purpose? Did He have another object lesson in real life to teach His disciples and His many hearers? Seeing the outcome of the dilemma they faced and the application to us today, I must acknowledge this to be the fact of the matter.

It was late, wilderness all around – no food – many to feed – disciples stressed – what were they to do? As Jesus always was; He calmly asked them like God asked Moses; “What have you got?” It seems the disciples had forgotten or ignored the fact that they were in the presence of Divinity; in the presence of the Creator who spoke the worlds into being; in the presence of the One who took mud from the earth and created man! They said to Him; “Here is a lad with five small barley loaves and two small fishes.” – adding “How many can this feed?” (Free paraphrase) Oh! What a surprise they were in for!

Read the story – Jesus took the “miniscule” offering and miraculously fed five-thousand! Did anyone there think there was enough to start with? Do you think maybe some even mocked in their hearts saying; “How ridiculous; how can so little satisfy the needs of so many?” I think I’m human enough to have thought this!

Thank the Lord He is not limited by our limitations and thoughts! Jesus got the “seed” and performed the miracle – blew their socks off! I can hardly imagine the awe that struck the onlookers. They gave Jesus all that was available and it was not merely enough but more than enough! The fragments collected far exceeded the amount they started with.

God’s call to His people is still ringing out through the ages – “What have you got to offer me?” do you hear His call? Is there something you know you should be doing; but like me have waited because of not “having enough”? Make a fresh commitment and say: “I give you all I have Jesus – use it as you see fit and as you will.” I believe this first step of trust and obedience to our Lord may lead to a great Moses type ministry for some – or whatever it is the Lord has in store. Don’t worry about the where when and how. Put the ship in motion as you understand it today – and let the Lord guide your ship into the deep.