How Much Is Enough?

That evening the disciples came to him and said, "It is already past time for supper, and there is nothing to eat here in the desert; send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food."

But Jesus replied, "That isn't necessary - you feed them!"

"What!" they exclaimed. "We have exactly five small loaves of bread and two fish!"

"Bring them here," he said.

Then he told the people to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and two fish, looked up into the shy and asked God's blessing on the meal, then broke the loaves apart and gave them to the disciples to place before the people. And everyone ate until full! And when the scraps were picked up afterwards, there were twelve basketfuls left over! Matthew 14: 15-20 (TLB)

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

When Sandy Hall, from Missouri, and her husband, Joe, were in their late twenties with a two-year-old daughter and a son on the way, Joe was fishing in a tournament. He noticed his right eye clouding, and he realized he needed medical attention. The diagnosis was a torn retina, and, under the care of a wonderful physician, Joe underwent many surgeries over the next two years. Ultimately his retina could not be repaired, and the vision in one eye was lost.

To thank the physician for his excellent care, they wanted to share some of their fish. Sandy took a few packages from the freezer and placed them in a cooler. Later she was prompted to put in another package. The prompting continued until Sandy said, "OK, Lord, I hear you. These are your fish, we were just lucky enough to catch them. If you want all the fish, nothing would please us more." After all the fish were packed, a peace came over Sandy and she knew the Lord was pleased.

How many fish were enough? By Sandy's standards, a few packages. By God's standards, the whole catch. In our relationships, family time, projects serving our community, and church, God asks us to give "the whole catch" in everything we do.

Prayer: Generous God, thank you for continuing to teach us to give as you have given to us, in Jesus' name. Amen.