Have you ever felt inadequate? Like what you have to give is not enough? I have. But what if our feelings are just feelings and not facts? What if what we have and who we are is enough in God’s hands?

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts.

Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭41‬-‭44‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This widow caught Jesus attention and his praise, not because she made a large impressive donation, but because she gave what little she had. She could have justified keeping her coins for herself, thinking no one would care about such a small offering, but she didn’t. We aren’t told her motivation, or what she thought about her meager gift, but I’d like to think she gave out of faith, knowing her offering was acceptable to God.

In this next familiar passage can you identify who has faith?

When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.”

One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.”

Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.

John‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

It seems Phillip tried to think of the solution practically, but saw no answer. Andrew teetered on the edge of faith, wanting to believe, yet still having doubts. The boy may have considered his small lunch inadequate, but offered it freely. In the other three gospels, the boy isn’t mentioned and the problem is given to the disciples to come up with a solution. Do you think they all felt inadequate? I think that’s exactly how they felt. Yet, they spoke freely and offered freely, obeying Jesus’ instructions and expressing their faith through obedience. Look at Jesus intension from verse 6 — “He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.” Isn’t that true of every act of obedience? That’s why we have the saying, “Step out in faith.”

Let’s examine another passage.

The kingdom is also like what happened when a man went away and put his three servants in charge of all he owned. The man knew what each servant could do. So he handed 5,000 coins to the first servant, 2,000 to the second, and 1,000 to the third. Then he left the country.‬‬

Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭CEV

You probably know where this is going, but try to see this with fresh eyes. The man with the servants knew their capabilities or perhaps potential would be a better word. Each was given the same opportunity to steward what was entrusted to them. The amount wasn’t as important, as we’ll see in the man’s response, only how the servants handled the opportunity. Both the first and second servants received the same praise at his return.

“Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”

Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭21 & 23‬ ‭CEV‬‬

This parable shows us that the portion of what we have is inconsequential. We may feel less than, in the measure of the world, but we all have something that God can multiply.

Maybe you have plenty, maybe you are highly intelligent, and successful in the eyes of the world. Paul had much to boast about, both in his pedigree, and later in his heavenly visit. But listen to what he says —

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.‬‬

II Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV

Look again at this statement — “we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh” — is this not the message we need to hear when we feel either lack or the urge to boast? Our confidence is in Christ Jesus and we have no lack.

Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.‬‬

Tehillim (Psa)‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬ ‭CJB

Sometimes all I need is a new perspective. I hope you found this post helpful.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy