John 6:4-7, English Standard Version.
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.”
In this story we see Jesus took time to test Philip and to see his response to the challenge of feeding five-thousand men.
Pay attention to Philip’s answer, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.”
Essentially what Philip said was, “Jesus, we don’t have enough money to pull this off. It costs too much.”
Here we see Jesus present a great cause to Phillip. And in His style, presents a cause that is seemingly impossible for his disciples to accomplish. To feed five-thousand hungry men – and that number does not include the women and children with them.
Here is an opportunity to make history. An opportunity to touch lives. To bless and satisfy the need of a multitude of people who hunger for righteousness and truth.
It was without a doubt, an exciting opportunity for Philip and the disciples.
However Philip’s response was, “It costs to much money.” “We can’t pull this off.”
Philip considered the cost to be bigger than the cause.
How many times have we backed away from a great cause just because it costs too much? We dare not dream big. We don’t take that step. We don’t make the call. Just because it costs too much.
As we read further into the story, we see Jesus perform the miracle of multiplying what little that was available (five loaves and two small fish) to feed the entire crowd. Jesus showed the disciples that nothing is impossible when He is with them!
Jesus presents another way to approach life. Without Him, money (the lack of it) will always be a limiting factor. But with Jesus, as people of faith, then the cost is no longer a problem. The problem lies with our way of thinking.
Do you have a kingdom cause for the church or any organization that you lead? An event you’re considering, a program you’d like to start?
Maybe you have a personal cause like a family vacation to strengthen bonds. Regular dates with your spouse. Investing in your children. These things are priceless.
Sometimes we keep putting off the decisions just because it costs too much time, energy, or money, and we marginalize the cause.
I don’t mean for us to be recklessly brave and make irresponsible decisions, but let us consider the fact that with every great cause that Jesus has entrusted to us, we are to remember that He is with us, and that with Him, nothing is impossible!
Let us be a people who operate on a cause level rather than the cost level. Believe and have faith that God wants to bless the world, the church, your family and friends through you. And that no cost is too big for us to fulfil the cause He has entrusted to us.
