Loaves and Fishes Stewardship


My congregation worships in a 127-year-old building that, while sturdy, is in need of long-deferred maintenance. Faced with leaks in the roof, cracks in the parking lot, moisture in the walls and tired carpets and paint throughout, we cannot put off the work any longer. We know what needs to be done. The question is paying for it.

Maybe your congregation has faced or is facing a similar problem. Maybe you are faced with this in your own life. 

This Sunday's gospel reading from Matthew can give us some help.  The story bears reading and reading again, because it is filled with some wonderful details that provide clues on how we can approach our needs. If you like, you may read the Gospel lesson by clicking here.

Here are some ideas to be gleaned:

1) The disciples assume they did not have enough to feed the people, so they never seriously entertain the idea that they can. How many of us, as leaders or individuals, simply give up when things seem impossible?

2) The need is for something other than the disciples' own personal gain. When we ask things of God, is it for other people or for ourselves? In God's eyes, what do you think is the difference?

3) In addition to being for others, the need was for an essential, not a luxury. In The Lord's Prayer we ask for our daily bread, not for fancy food for a month. How much of what we ask for consists of things we simply want, but by no means need. What difference do you think it means to God? 

4) Jesus starts with what he has - just a few loaves and fishes that was plainly inadequate for feeding so many. But that does not stop Jesus. How many of us would give up when our resources are very small and the needs are enormous?.

5) Jesus gives thanks for the miniscule amount of food he has. Do we pause to give thanks when we have very little?

8) Somehow, somewhere, some way God provided what the crowd needed.

So now we're facing some major renovations to our church building with limited funds. But thanks to the story of the loaves and fishes, I have a clearer idea how we can approach the work.

--Rob Blezard, Editor and Webmaster

Reprint rights gladly given to congregations for nonprofit, local use. Just include this note: "Copyright (c) 2008, the Rev. Robert Blezard, www.stewardshipoflife.org. Used by permission."

 

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