In the medieval church, there was a special occasion of the New Year service for giving offerings. They believed the church bell would ring when God was pleased with adequate offerings from the congregation. There was a big basket attached to the pulleys of the church bell. People used to put the offering one by one and wait for the bill to ring. On one day, all had offered their best except a small poor boy. As the bell did not ring, all were sad and did not expect the small boy’s offering would make any difference. He came slowly and dropped a bag of hay, and the bell rang. The congregation was relieved but puzzled about how hay could make a difference. Small or big does not matter for God. Sovereign God could do without the offerings and gifts but likes to have humans as His partners in the world. The small boy gave his lunch of five loaves of barley bread and two fish to be used to feed the Five thousand men, women, and children who accompanied them. (John 6:1-14)
Insignificant: By Human standards, the boy’s lunch was insignificant for the huge crowd. Perhaps, he did not understand the mammoth crowd or the need for logistics and resource mobilization.
Inadequate: The disciples were sceptical and remarked: How far will this go? They inferred that even if the loaves were made as mini bites, it could not be sufficient for a fraction of the crowd.
Impossible: Disciples felt that it was impossible to feed the crowd. They did neither understand the Lord’s desire, nor His power. The small boy also did not understand but had a child-like faith.
Investment: The boy unknowingly invested in the Kingdom of God and gave it to the Lord Jesus. He did not intend to give the disciples or the crowd. His focus and desire were to give it to the Lord. Which means, He will do whatever is appropriate. It was not given seeing the need, that was incomprehensible for the boy, but the Lord.
Do I always give unto the Lord?