No Gift Too Small

   On a hillside in Judea Jesus fed over five thousand with two fishes and five loaves.  All had plenty to eat and twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered. (Matt 14: 13-21)

   Jesus watched as many rich people put money in the treasury.  He noticed a poor widow who put in two cooper coins, about a penny.  He commented that she had given far more than the others because it was from her need rather than from abundance. (Mark 14: 41-44)

   What the scriptures above tell us is that whatever we have to give is welcomed by God.  A gift from our heart can be turned into great miracles in the hands of God regardless of how small we may think it to be.  Just as two fish fed five thousand, what little we have to give can be used in ways we can’t imagine.

   In my life there have been times when I’ve felt that what I had to offer God was nothing compared to what others give.  Others had more money, talent and time to contribute; of what good were the small things I could offer when others gave so much more.

   Perhaps you’ve had the same experience.  The longing to do something for God but uncertainty if what you had to contribute was sufficient.  I think the idea that we can’t give enough to satisfy God is one of Satan’s most used lies.  If we can be convinced that our contribution is insufficient then maybe we are unacceptable to God as well.  After all, look what Jesus did for us on the cross.  If He could do that for us, how can our small donations or simple abilities be adequate?  As long the enemy can keep us thinking like this it’s much easier for him to convince us that it’s not worth our effort to even try.  God wouldn’t want what we have to offer anyway.

   Though we may think that what we have to offer is unsatisfactory, God will lovingly accept it and use it to further His will.  There is nothing so small or too little if given in love and faith.  Just give it and let God do the rest.

   “Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure, that if He wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength.”  St. Philip Neri.