Sermon Central
-
Little Is Much When God Is In It
Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Apr 13, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: The world always says bigger is better; smaller is not good. The ungodly believes that more is better and less is not good; there is strength in numbers and the few becomes unimportant; that the rich and famous are more important than the poor and insigni
Intro: The world always says bigger is better; smaller is not good. The ungodly believes that more is better and less is not good; there is strength in numbers and the few becomes unimportant; that the rich and famous are more important than the poor and insignificant. This is the way of the world and the philosophy of unbelievers.
But spiritually speaking, such is not always the case as we shall see in this study. The truth of the matter is – people’s being bigger or smaller, more or less in number, rich or poor, great or small, strong or weak is not the main issue. The greater issue is having God all along in whatever we think, say or do!
There are instances in the Bible that proves “Little is much when God is in it.” We shall observe and learn. See Prov. 15:16.
1. A LITTLE BREAD IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT (John 6:1-13). In the midst of the Lord’s ministry there was a problem – multitudes of people were in a desert place one late afternoon and everyone was hungry. The disciples have 5,000 hungry men (John 6:10) on their hands. Matthew tells us (Matt. 14:21) that this number does not include women and children so the total could be as much as 10,000 – 15,000. And yet look what the Lord used to feed the multitudes – five loaves and two fishes (John 6:9-10) – with 12 baskets more to spare!
2. A LITTLE ARMY IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT (Judg. 7:1-7). It was a difficult time for Israelites when the Midianites terrorized and impoverished them. Israel cried unto God and He heard them and wanted to deliver them. To do so, God must raise a leader and an army in Israel to fight the cruel Midianites. He called upon a humble farmer (Gideon) to raise up a mighty army. Now Gideon’s army of recruits was at first 32,000 WEAK, then 300 STRONG! Oftentimes there is really weakness in number when God is not in it! (see Lev. 26:8) Cowardice is contagious among soldiers at war! Paul once said that when he is weak in the flesh, then is he strong in the Lord by His grace! (II Cor. 12:10).
3. A LITTLE WEAPON IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT. In time of war, a large army, advanced technology and weaponry can spell the difference between victory and defeat. In ancient Bible times, pagan kings and generals trusted in their numbers, chariots and weapons. But Israel had the best secret weapon of all – their faith in God! (Psa. 20:7; Isa. 31:1). Remember MOSES’ ROD (Exo. 4:1-5, 17, 20); DAVID’S SLING (I Sam. 17:40, 49); SHAMGAR’S OX GOAD (Judg 3:31); SAMSON’S JAWBONE OF AN ASS (Judg. 15:14-16). LESSON: In any war or struggle in life, God can use anything so insignificant that is already in our hand to give us victory!
4. A LITTLE MONEY IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT (Mark 12:42-44). President John F. Kennedy in his 1961 inaugural address said: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
In the spiritual realm we might say to every Christian: “Ask not what the Lord can give to you, ask what you can give to the Lord.” The world’s prevailing attitude is: “get all you can and can all you get” but God says differently in Prov. 11:24.
Notice that the Lord Jesus did not criticize or humiliate those who gave larger gifts, but He would rather wanted His disciples to know that God valued the gift offered by what the giver retained after the gift was given!
BIBLE EXAMPLES OF GIVING ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL:
WHAT GOD GAVE: “…He gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16). WHAT JESUS GAVE: His life. Jesus said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).
WHAT THE CHRISTIAN IS TO GIVE: In Rom. 12:1, Paul writes: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” LESSON: Our Heavenly Father measures our giving not so much by the size or quantity of the gift we give, but by how much we have left after the gift is given!
Conclusion: The truth is: LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT! Be faithful and good in what little has God given you now for He shall surely bless and reward you with much more in His perfect will and time. Luke 16:10 – “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
