FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH

In our quieter moments, we need to ask ourselves this sobering question: What have we done with the time, talents and resources entrusted to us?

The other day, while taking to my wife, I was bemoaning the fact that I did not have the chance to receive formal instruction in music and Chinese as a child. Life, I reckon, would be more interesting—exciting vistas of adventure and discovery would open up—if I only I had some basic knowledge in these two disciplines.  

When I go on a tour in China, I would be able to read the signs and strike up a conversation with its people, including the taxi man. And I would be able to better appreciate the strains of Chinese classical music as elegant qipao-clad ladies deftly strum the pipa.

But then again I console myself that God has always been fair to everyone. To compensate for whatever I may lack, He has endowed me with a love for writing and communication in English.

One day, we will be called to account as to how we have utilised the gifts and talents He has given us. However, we will not be called to account for that which He has not been given us.

When it comes to stewardship of the talents He has given me, I think He would not say, “Why did you not perform in the ensemble for the charity concert? Why have you not written any article in Chinese? Why did you not become a healing evangelist?”

But I know He will certainly ask me this: “How far have you developed your talents in the area of writing and communication? What have you done with the training you received in medical school?”

As the words of Ezra 7:10 resonate deep down within my spirit, I know this is what He has called me to do. Have I been faithful in proclaiming the truth? In this I will be held accountable when the roll is called up yonder *  (2 Corinthians 5:10).

When Jesus challenged the disciples to feed the five thousand, He was testing those who had a ‘scarcity mindset’. He wanted to show them how even five loaves and two fish from a little boy could feed a multitude. 

Though it may be insignificant, whatever is blessed by Jesus will bear bountiful fruit. Have we ever considered how we can optimise the utilisation of the "five loaves and two fish" that He has blessed us for His glory (1 Peter 4:10)?

In our quieter moments, we need to ask ourselves this sobering question: What have we done with the five loaves and two fish—time, talents and resources—God has given us?

                                              

 References

• “Ezra had spent his entire life studying and obeying the Law of the Lord and teaching it to others” (Ezra 7:10).

•  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

• “Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well” (1 Peter 4: 10).

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  *     When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder - James M. Black

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,

And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;

When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,

And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

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The miraculous feeding of the five thousand

When Jesus saw the large crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where will we get enough food to feed all these people?” He said this to test Philip, since he already knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered, “Don’t you know that it would take almost a year’s wages just to buy only a little bread for each of these people?”

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the disciples. He spoke up and said, “There is a boy here who has five small loaves of barley bread and two fish. But what good is that with all these people?”

The ground was covered with grass, and Jesus told his disciples to have everyone sit down. About five thousand men were in the crowd. Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he passed the bread to the people, and he did the same with the fish, until everyone had plenty to eat.

The people ate all they wanted, and Jesus told his disciples to gather up the leftovers, so that nothing would be wasted.

(John 6:5-12)