It’s not all or nothing. It’s something or nothing. Can you give God something today? Don’t worry about tomorrow. You’ve got your hands full with today. Start small, and work your way up. Open your bible and read one sentence. It’s something! Commit to closing your eyes when the cheerleaders come on during the game. It’s something! Go one day without masturbating. It’s something! Avoid going for coffee where the cute barista works. It’s something! It’s exciting what God can do with something!
Remember the story about Jesus feeding the 5,000? (John 6:1-15) When he challenged the disciples to feed the people, Philip responded from an all-or-nothing mentality:
“Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7)
Translation: “Why try? It’s impossible. If we can’t feed them all, why start?”
Andrew, on the other hand, responded from a something-rather-than-nothing mentality:
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:8-9)
Translation: “I think Philip’s right. It looks impossible, but I’m willing to give you what I can and trust you with the results.”
The difference between Philip and Andrew is that Andrew gave God something to work with. God isn’t in the business of just doling out freebies. He wants us to give Him what we’ve got. It doesn’t have to be much. It almost never is much. But if we’ll give Him what we can, He’ll take care of the rest.
Want more proof? Check out the story about the Widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17 or the one about Jonathan attacking the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14 or the one about Gideon defeating the Midianites in Judges 7.
We need to have a realistic view of our contribution to living righteously. When it comes down to it, we have no more to offer than the widow with her “two very small copper coins.” (Luke 21:1-4) Our ability to act righteously is poor indeed, but if we’ll give God what we can out of our poverty, He will add the rest from His abundance.
Wallbuilder Ministries 