Daily Devotionals
October 31, 2018
Sharing Our Resources
October 31, 2018
DAILY READING
Matthew 14:13-21
This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21
FIELD NOTES
Tonight’s Trick-or-treating produces more children from our own neighborhoods at our doors than we see throughout the year. More strangers open their doors to other strangers to give treats. These children usually end up with more candy in their bags and baskets than their parents give out. What if the neighborhoods worldwide were this generous every day?
A professor tried to “explain away” the miracle of feeding the five-thousand by saying they all, like the boy, had food with them hidden away for that day. He contended, when this boy shared his food, others shared theirs. As a result, they had leftovers to fill twelve baskets.
While I totally disagree with this professor, when sharing what we have, we multiply resources.
There is no way our church can produce 119 United Methodist colleges, universities, and seminaries, plus another 700 the same globally. Alone, we cannot create and support 52 hospitals and 152 retirement homes; 63 children, youth, and family services; 105 community centers; and 16 centers for people with disabilities. Alone, we cannot produce and support 177 missionaries in the US; 677 missionaries around the world; 125,000 voluntary missioners worldwide; and 550 relief and refugee workers. Alone, no one church can fight hunger, poverty, addiction, and other social ills. Being a
There is no way one Brentwood UMC church member can fund all of the ministries of our congregation. Through the abundant generosity of all of us sharing our five loaves and two fish, we can do more than simply fund ministry at our church. We can help “make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Tonight, may you have a happy “trick-or-treating” experience, and may we all share our “bread and fish” in and through Brentwood United Methodist Church.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FIELD
- In what ways have I benefited from the members of Brentwood UMC sharing their resources?
- In what ways have I shared my resources (time, talent, and money) to where others benefit through Brentwood UMC?
- Is there another way that Jesus is counting on me this next year at Brentwood UMC? With my family? At work? At school? Another setting?
FAMILY FIELD TALK
- In what ways has our family benefited from the members of Brentwood UMC sharing their resources?
- In what ways has our family shared resources (time, talent, and money) to where others benefit through Brentwood UMC?
- Is there another way that Jesus is counting our family this next year at Brentwood UMC? At work? At school? Another setting?
PRAYER
Lord, Jesus Christ, you bless us in so many ways, including through our church family. Lord, help us become more aware of the hours of time and energy and money people provide for us to have a simple worship service. Help us become aware of all the love you are showing us through our brothers and sisters of BUMC. Help us also to follow your lead in sharing our loaves and fish with the rest. In your gracious name, I pray. Amen.