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An important lesson we can learn from Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand is that Jesus uses people like you and me to bless others. For example, when Jesus asked His disciples to find food, they returned with five loaves of bread and two fish.

As evening approached, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:15-16).

Notice the emphasis on “You” give them something to eat. Jesus, at this very moment, decides to use His disciples and a boy for His miracle and turn the five loaves of bread and two fish into sustenance to feed the large crowd. This scenario encapsulates how Jesus uses us. He uses others, His disciples, in this case, to be His hands in providing blessings to others. He asks them to find food, which they do by finding the boy.

“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are leftover. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” (John 6:11-13).

I love the words, “Let nothing be wasted.” So let us not waste what God has given us in our time, talents, and treasures.

Final Thought: What can God use in YOU that can be used to bless and serve others?

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