One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"
Even though neither Andrew or this little boy understood how this small gift would help, Andrew made sure it was brought to Jesus anyway. If you know the rest of the story, you know that Jesus took those five loaves and two fish and fed a crowd of 5,000 men along with the women and the children that were there. Jesus took that small gift given in faith, and it was used for great things.
The same is true of our gifts given to God, which come in so many different forms, including service, money, time, anything you can think of. God uses them even when we see them as insignificant. He uses them when we can't see how He will use them. So don't be discouraged when you feel like your service to God is not enough, because that is when God somehow uses it the most! That doesn't mean that we shouldn't also be led to serve more and in other ways, because we are clearly commanded in Hebrews 10 to "stir up one another to love and good works" (v 24).
Even though neither Andrew or this little boy understood how this small gift would help, Andrew made sure it was brought to Jesus anyway. If you know the rest of the story, you know that Jesus took those five loaves and two fish and fed a crowd of 5,000 men along with the women and the children that were there. Jesus took that small gift given in faith, and it was used for great things.
The same is true of our gifts given to God, which come in so many different forms, including service, money, time, anything you can think of. God uses them even when we see them as insignificant. He uses them when we can't see how He will use them. So don't be discouraged when you feel like your service to God is not enough, because that is when God somehow uses it the most! That doesn't mean that we shouldn't also be led to serve more and in other ways, because we are clearly commanded in Hebrews 10 to "stir up one another to love and good works" (v 24).
What I am trying to say can be clearly summed up in 2 Corinthians 12:10:
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul had a "thorn" in his flesh, a weakness that kept him humble. We are all human, and thus we are all imperfect. Through these imperfections God uses us for his glory. So don't be discouraged by them, but instead be encouraged and thank God for them!
-All Scripture taken from the English Standard Version (ESV).
