Multiplication

We're all made differently, aren’t we? Maybe when you were at school, mathematics was your favourite subject. Well, it wasn’t mine! I will admit, though, that learning the multiplication tables by rote in primary school has been very useful.

God is a real expert in multiplication. We see Jesus displaying this in the well-known account of the feeding of the five thousand (plus the number of women and children), which He did with only five small loaves and two fish. This was multiplication on a huge scale. The disciples could never have imagined such a thing. And, so often, neither can we. We may feel what we have to offer is small. But the truth which is revealed in this miracle is that God is the all-powerful Creator, who takes the little we have, and creates from it an abundance which can ‘feed’ a multitude.

We see another situation of multiplication in John Chapter 4, where Jesus spent time with one woman at a well in Samaria. She was so impacted by Jesus that her whole community was brought to meet Him because of her testimony, and, at their request, He stayed with them for two days. We’re told that ‘many believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony’, and after Jesus had spent time with them, ‘many became believers’. Ministering to the ‘one’ in front of you can lead to many more being touched by God.

Some years ago, a young student from the Philippines was a member of our church worship team, which I led at that time. He also attended the weekly studies on worship in my home. After graduating, he returned to his own country and I had no further contact with him until quite recently, when, to my surprise, I received an email from him. When I read it, I was even more surprised, as he told me that he was now teaching worship seminars around the world, especially in the Philippines, Mexico and the USA. What unexpected joy I felt that day! If he hadn’t written to tell me, I would never have known about the multiplication God did through him, one young man who received our input during his time in our fellowship.

Most of the time, we don’t see what God does with what we give. But, be encouraged. In God’s hands there’s always growth and increase, which will, one day, be cause for celebration.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as I follow Your leading, help me to be faithful in showing Your love to those You put in my life, to the one you may put on my path today. Thank You for the encouragement that, when You bless our work, it increases and touches others we may never know about, until that Day when everything will be revealed. I praise You for this, and give You all the glory. Amen.