By Ron Harmon, Presiding Bishop
…the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low; for the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare…
(adapted from Witness the Word sermon)
Jesus took the provisions, lifted his eyes toward heaven, and gave thanks—not for the abundance already seen, but for what was emerging in the crowd in that moment. Then he broke bread and gave it to the disciples and they in turn gave it to the people. In that holy exchange, the miracle was not that the food was multiplied but the hearts of everyone present were opened. The crowd became more than a mass of hungry strangers; they became a community shaped by trust, compassion, generosity, and love.
And when the disciples gathered up what remained, there were twelve baskets left over! The baskets themselves tell the story of God’s economy of abundance. When people place what they have in the hands of Jesus and are willing to share, there is more than enough. Jesus turned the myth of scarcity on its head and challenged his disciples and the crowd to see the miracle of what can happen when we open our hearts to each other and to our shared wellbeing.
This is a powerful story, but what does it mean for us today? Where are the stories of abundance that point the way toward God’s alternative future of wellbeing for all creation? This is where the story becomes our story.
In Paynesville, Liberia, more than 10 homes belonging to members of New Hope Congregation were destroyed in a single night. Walls collapsed, roofs were torn away, and families lost nearly everything.
But the church did not close its doors.
Pastor G.A. Anderson, upon hearing what had happened, instructed the church building be opened as a shelter. That night, pews became beds. The altar where prayers had been offered now echoed with the breathing of sleeping children and the prayers of weary parents. For weeks, the church became more than a place of worship. It became home. And then something extraordinary happened.
During worship one Sunday, a woman named Mother Jamamma stood and said, “I have nothing… but I’ll give 2,000 Liberian dollars to begin the reconstruction.” It was only about $10 USD, but it was everything she could give.
Her gift inspired something in the congregation. Teenagers offered what little money they had. A shoemaker gave all he had earned that week. Children gave up their lunches to feed the workers. A market woman sold cloth to buy roofing materials. Men, women, and youth volunteered their time to rebuild.
Within two months, all 10 homes had been rebuilt—not with wealth, but with love, prayer, unity, and generosity. When people asked Pastor Anderson how it happened, he simply said, “We gave what we didn’t have…and God gave us more than we needed.”
Prayer Phrase
“I am about to do a new thing” (Isaiah 43:18).
Embrace Abundance
Take a slow breath and open your hands. Consider one thing you have received—love, grace, time, resources, or opportunity. Now ask, “What has been given to me that I can share with someone else?” Hold that thought for a moment. As you breathe in, say, “I receive with gratitude.” As you breathe out, “I give faithfully with generosity.” Pray, “May I trust there is enough when I choose to share what I have for the welfare of all.”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.