Go With What You Have -- Re-post

NOTE: A newcomer to the blog sent a note this week, requesting that we re-post one of the earlier articles.  All articles are available at all times, however this reader feared some would not read posts that far back.  We are honoring the request along with our appreciation of those who are reading the blog on a daily basis.  We continue to see God's blessing on your life as we learn together.  --RonB

I read a story this week about a 100 year old church, located near the downtown section of an American city.  The church found itself with a "mostly older" membership, and that was dwindling.  The downtown area had fizzled and only a few of the stores were hanging on.  All of downtown and the close-in neighborhoods were suddenly overrun by the homeless.  The future of this church was bleak. Many of its elderly members were preparing themselves for the inevitable closing of the doors.

Someone suggested that the church change its direction of ministry to meet the needs of the homeless people that were roaming the streets of downtown, and minister to these people right where they were.   Several meetings were held to discuss the suggestion, but each meeting seemed to end abruptly when someone mentioned the lack of funds available from the members that remained. It was a sad day. The decision was made for the church to close.

During the earthly ministry of Jesus, there was an occasion when he and his disciples retreated to an isolated place, only to find that a large crowd had gathered to be close to him. Many of these people had witnessed his miracles of casting out demons, healing the sick, an even raising a dead girl back to life. Some were curious but others were becoming followers. The huge crowd seemed to make the disciples uneasy because they couldn't fathom how they were going to minister to all these people. They reminded Jesus that it was getting late, so he should send all these people away to the villages so they can buy food for themselves. Matthew 14 contains the story, and verse 16 is where we pick up the response of Jesus to the suggestion of the disciples. "They do not need to go. You give them something to eat." Their reply revealed some difficulty to accomplish feeding such a large crowd. "We only have five loaves and two fish."  Jesus took the available food, instructed all the people to sit on the grass, and gave thanks to God and broke the loaves. The disciples were told to pass out the food to the people. Everyone ate and were filled and then the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.  Scripture says that day Jesus fed over 5,000 men, plus the women and children.

Before I compare this Bible story with the closing of the old church, let me emphasize that I do not know all the details that went into the decision of that church closing its doors. I am guessing, but I figure they were all good people, but were overwhelmed with their situation. The comparison I wish to make however, is that we often forget we are people of faith.  In the story of feeding the multitude, the disciples were ready to send away the crowd, because of a lack of resources to minister to them. In the story of the old church, homeless people were not ministered to in that city because the church decided it didn't have the resources.  Two different stories with different players, but both needed the same message. It's the message Jesus gave to his disciples during their dilemma. "Bring what you have to me," and then turn the situation over to God.

It makes me wonder what ministries and opportunities lie before us that are defeated before they start because we are reminded our resources are lacking?  When faced with making decisions in such circumstances, how do we decide?  I wish to suggest we ask ourselves two questions:  1. Are we convinced this is the will of God? (This requires time in the Word and time in prayer.)  2. Is this ministry needed in this place? (This requires some research and time spent with those we will be ministering to.)  If the answer is "yes" to both questions, then our faith should lead us to  go with the resources we have and seek God to supply the rest as it is needed.

God is going to bless the efforts of his people who demonstrate their love for him and their faith in him.  And the blessing continues as God's people show the love they have for others by helping to meet needs, and sharing the good news of the gospel. 

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>