A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

          In last week’s bulletin article, we began at study entitled, “A Little Goes A Long Way.”  This is true in our physical lives.  It is also true in our spiritual lives.  We found that a little disobedience goes a long way.  Too, we saw that a little manpower in the hands of God goes a long way.  We want to continue to develop this thought in this article.

          On one occasion, Jesus had traveled from Jerusalem to the sea of Galilee (John 6:1).  “And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased” (John 6:2).  When Jesus took His place before them, He was moved with compassion on them, and asked Philip:  “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” (John 6:5).  According to John 6:6, this was a test for Philip.  “Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little” (John 6:7).  This was probably the small amount of money Jesus and His apostles had collected for their ministry.  Andrew heard the discussion between Jesus and Philip and made known to them that “there is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes…” (John 6:9).  He concluded his comment with these words:  “…but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9).

          The term “lad” means “a small child.”  Thus, he was little.  The amount of food that he had was little.  The barley loaves were like unto our crackers.  The fish were like unto our sardines.  Jesus, however, was going to turn this meal for a child into a tremendous feast for the multitudes before Him.  “And Jesus said, Make the men sit down.  Now there was much grass in the place.  So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.  And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise the fishes as much as they would” (John 6:10-11).  The increase of that small amount was tremendous.  The multitudes were filled (John 6:12), and the disciples gathered “twelve baskets with the fragments of the barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten” (John 6:13).

          Jesus reveals to us that even a few assets can be multiplied greatly in His service.  God does not have to begin with much in order to produce in abundance.  Small churches can be used to do great things for the Lord.  Small numbers, small buildings, and small budgets can be turned into significant works in the kingdom of God.  Missionaries can be supported.  The widows and orphans can be assisted.  Good works in the brotherhood can be aided.  Small churches often do even more than the large churches in reaching out to those who are lost.  God takes their seemingly insignificant support and causes it to bear much fruit in His vineyard.  Yes, God makes a little go a long way.

          On another occasion in the life of Christ, “…Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury…” (Mark 12:41).  As was to be expected, “…many that were rich cast in much” (Mark 12:41).  There was another individual in group who also put money into the treasury.  We do not know her name.  In the Biblical text, she is simply called “a poor widow.”  “And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing” (Mark 14:42).  This small contribution caught the attention of Jesus, “…and he called unto him his disciples.”  Jesus now had the ear of these men.  He was about to leave them with a shocking message.  He said unto them:  “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 14:43-44).     

          The lesson Jesus taught His disciples that day was simple:  “A little amount of money can go a long way in the eyes of God.”  God does not just look at the dollar amount that is given.  Instead, He looks at the percentage that is given.  One person may give one hundred dollars and another person may give twenty dollars.  The one hundred dollars may be only ten percent of the individual’s income, whereas, the twenty dollars may represent twenty percent of the other person’s income.  The twenty dollar amount is less, but the amount sacrificed is much more.  In the case of the poor widow, she “cast in all that she had, even all her living.”  She gave one hundred percent of her living that day.  Jesus saw it and affirmed that it was more than all who cast into the treasury that day.  Dear reader, the question is not: “How much do I give the Lord each week?”  The question is:  “What is the percentage of my sacrifice to the Lord each week?”  When the percentage is examined, a little oftentimes goes a long way.

          The phrase, “a little goes a long way,” is also true of people.  God can take little people and do wonderful things with them.  All Christians are familiar with the apostle of Jesus named “Paul.” After he obeyed the gospel, he did great things in the kingdom.  He was known as “the apostle to the Gentiles” (Gal. 2:8).  He took three missionary journeys that are recorded in the book of Acts.  He converted an untold number of people.  He established churches in a multitude of cities.  His influence even reached into the royal palace of Rome (See Phil. 1:13).  This man wrote about half of the New Testament.  He confronted the enemies of the cross of Christ.  He suffered many tribulations for Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 11:2-28).  He stood before Cesar on at least two occasions.  Ultimately, he was slain for the cause of Christ (2 Tim.2:6-8).  Yes, Paul was a “great man” in the church.  It is interesting that Paul’s name means “small or little.”  Most believe that he was a man who was of small stature.  His small frame, however, did not keep him from being used in big ways in God’s service.  Again, a little goes a long way in the hands of God.

          Man has a tendency to despise small things.  God, however, is a very big God.  He can take very small things and do wonders with them.  OceanSide is small.  Each member seems to be very small in our brotherhood.  Our resources might seem small.  Remember, God is big and powerful.  Let’s allow God to use us, our talents, our treasures, and our time in big ways.  Our little can go a long way when we allow God multiply the little as He desires.