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“You Give Them Something to Eat”
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How We Often Repeat Andrew’s Unbelief
Christ has directed us, “Go into all the world and preach the
gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
. But how often our faith fails
us, as we see how great the need is and how small the resources in
our hands. Like Andrew, we often hesitate, unwilling to give all
that we have, afraid to spend and to be spent for others. But Jesus
has instructed us, “You give them something to eat.” Behind His
command is the same power that fed the multitude beside the sea.
In Christ’s act is wrapped up a deep spiritual lesson for all His
workers. Christ received from the Father; He gave to the disciples;
they distributed to the crowd, and the people to one another. So
all who are united to Christ will receive from Him the bread of life
and give it to others. Jesus took the little loaves, and although there
was only a little portion for His own disciples, He did not invite
them to eat, but began to distribute to them, instructing them serve
the people. The food multiplied in His hands; and the hands of the
disciples, reaching out to Christ, were never empty. After feeding the
people, Christ and His disciples ate together of the Heavensupplied
food.
The disciples were the channel of communication between Christ
and the people. The most intelligent, the most spiritual, can give
only as they receive. We can share only what we receive from Christ,
and we can receive only as we share with others. And the more we
give, the more we will receive.
Too often the workers for Christ fail to realize their personal
responsibility. They are in danger of shifting their burden on organi-
zations instead of relying on Him who is the Source of all strength.
Successful work for Christ depends not so much on talent as on
earnest, dependent faith. Instead of shifting your responsibility on
someone you think is more richly endowed than you are, work ac-
cording to your ability. When the question comes home to your
heart, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” do not let
your answer be the response of unbelief. When people are com-
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pletely lacking the bread of life, should we send for someone from
far away to come and feed them? Christ said, “Make the people
sit down,” and He fed them there. So when you are surrounded by
people in need, know that Christ is there. Bring your barley loaves