Over-filled Cups

I was reading this morning from Matthew 15:32-39. I am sure most people are somewhat familiar with Christ's feeding a large crowd. Some people might even realize that He did this on two separate occasions! But what seems to stick with me this morning is the leftovers. On this occasion seven large baskets of leftovers are picked up! In Matthew 14:13-21 there are twelve full baskets left over! In the Matthew 14 passage, the bread is a cracker like wafer and the fish is a pickled piece of fish. So we might think something the size of an appetizer or snack.

Now Christ provided enough for 5000 and 4000 people respectively! I am no chef, but that sounds like a lot of food for a lot of people! Christ provided more than enough! It makes sense that He would do that since in chapter 6: 25-34 He said He would provide. Knowing that God cannot lie, we should all trust Him to do just that. But He provided far more than enough! What an example of grace and mercy! Also, we should expect Him to provide! All things come from Christ and it is to His glory when we look to Him to supply our needs. Notice the word needs. Luxuries take our focus off of Him and put it on His gift, leading to idolatry. I am not saying luxurious items are sinful, but they can lead us to sin. Let us be content with His provisions, trusting Him to provide and sustain as He promised! Let us pray "to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think," begging Him to meet our Spiritual needs as well as all other needs. Let us be thankful for all that He provides as He deems appropriate, knowing that what He gives is in accordance with His will. Then we, with the apostle Paul, will learn to be content in all things. What joy overflows from being thankfully content!