God can Supplement our Shortcomings
2 Kings 4:42-44
42 A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said.
“How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked.
But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’”
Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.”
This miracle is similar to the feeding of the 5000 only in this context it is only 100. During the famine there was not enough food nor barley bread. A man came with sincere and honest offering unto God by giving bread to Elisha so the people could eat. When the servant was instructed to share it, he was bewildered since there wouldn't be enough. Elisha was aware that the Lord said they would eat, and they will have some leftover. And of course it happened according to the word of the Lord.
In Matthew 14:13-21 Christ had compassion on the multitude not only to teach them, but to feed them. He took what little they had and divided it and all had their fill and more. There had been other miraculous instances of multiplying food (when Elijah and Elisha fed the widows). God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.
There are many illustrations of the provisions of God at times of specific need that point only to the miraculous intervention of God. George Mueller ran an orphanage in England by faith. One morning with no money and 300 children to feed he sat them all down and prayed. A baker stopped by and gave him bread and a milkman explained his cart broke down and he did not have the means to preserve the milk. What a lesson on God’s provision!
God had compassion on His servants who were doing His work. Faith is trusting that God will supplement our shortcomings and provide for our needs whether naturally or supernaturally. He will give us what He wants us to have to do what He wants us to do. The offering of bread was given to Elisha, but it wasn't enough, yet God supplemented the shortcomings and all had what they needed.
What do you have to offer God? You know you are valuable to God. The death of Christ reminds us of the extent of His love, but there isn't anything that you or I have that God could need. What He wants is faithfulness in giving and then watch and see what He does with them. Gifts can be money, talents, time, ministry, whatever we have is the Lord’s. He will supplement our shortcomings.
He wants to receive glory. We cannot boast about how much we give or how much we do for God, or what talents or gifts we bring. They are not enough. They cannot accomplish much unless God multiplies it in His way.
Do you ever question when you're you see others with their talents and gifts how can God possibly use you? I am reminded of God's heroes who give what they could and let God do the rest. Elisha is fully aware that his humble position before the Lord is only a tool of God. It is through miracles He supplements our shortcomings.
