Multiplication Through Generosity: Trusting God with Little

Summary

What a joy and privilege it is to gather together and reflect on the God who delights in surprising us, using the unexpected, and multiplying what we place in His hands. Today, we explored the only miracle—apart from the resurrection and other foundational events—recorded in all four Gospels: the feeding of the 5,000. But as we saw, it was far more than 5,000; it was likely 20,000 or more, a crowd the size of a packed arena. This miracle is not just a story of provision, but a revelation of God’s heart for multiplication, and a blueprint for how He invites us to participate in His miraculous work.

We stepped into the shoes of the disciples, feeling their fatigue, their hunger, and their confusion as Jesus taught all day in a deserted place. When the disciples tried to nudge Jesus to end the meeting for the people’s sake, He turned the responsibility back on them: “You give them something to eat.” Their resources seemed laughably insufficient—five loaves and two fish, taken from a boy who wasn’t even counted among the men. Yet, it was precisely in the hands of the overlooked, the next generation, that God placed the seed of a miracle.

The process Jesus led them through reveals the principles of multiplication. First, He brought order—having the people sit in groups. Then, He blessed what was brought to Him. Only after it was given away did the miracle of multiplication occur, and not in Jesus’ hands, but in the hands of the disciples as they obeyed. The miracle was not in what they had lost, but in what they had left, and in their willingness to trust, obey, and give.

This is a call to reorder our lives, to bring what we have—however small—to Jesus first, to trust Him with it, and to live open-handedly. God’s multiplication is not about what we accumulate, but about what we give away. The impact of our lives is found in our generosity, our willingness to invest in the next generation, and our trust that God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine when we surrender to Him.

Key Takeaways

- God Works Through the Overlooked and the Next Generation
God often chooses to work through those who are not even counted by the world’s standards. The miracle of feeding the multitude began with a boy who was overlooked, not included in the official count. This challenges us to invest in, speak life over, and empower the next generation, recognizing that the seeds of future miracles may be in their hands. [53:07]

- The Miracle Begins With Order and Reordering
Before multiplication can happen, there must be order. Jesus instructed the disciples to organize the crowd before the miracle took place. In our own lives, miracles often begin when we reorder our priorities, bring structure to chaos, and put God first—not just in theory, but in practical, daily decisions. [01:01:40]

- Blessing Comes When We Bring What We Have to Jesus First
Multiplication is only possible when what we have is blessed, and it is only blessed when it is brought to Jesus first. This principle applies to every area of life, especially our resources. Trusting God with the first portion—our time, our finances, our gifts—invites His blessing on the rest, and positions us for supernatural increase. [01:03:28]

- Multiplication Happens When We Give Away, Not When We Hold Back
The miracle did not occur in Jesus’ hands, but in the hands of the disciples as they gave away what they had received. We often wait for abundance before we give, but God calls us to give in faith, even when it seems insufficient. Generosity is the trigger for God’s supernatural response, and it is in the act of giving that we experience His multiplication. [01:07:43]

- The Impact of Our Lives Is Measured by What We Give Away
True impact is not found in what we achieve or accumulate, but in what we give away. God’s desire is to bless us so that we can be a blessing to others, carrying baskets full of provision to a hungry world. Our legacy is built not on our possessions, but on our willingness to live open-handedly, trusting God to multiply what we surrender. [01:13:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Honoring Pastors and Leaders
[02:30] - Family Stories and God’s Surprises
[07:44] - Introduction to the Miracle of Multiplication
[12:51] - The Feeding of the 5,000: Context and Scale
[18:06] - Stepping Into the Story: The Disciples’ Perspective
[23:27] - The Compassion of Jesus and the Disciples’ Dilemma
[28:01] - The Boy’s Lunch: Potential and Purpose
[33:07] - Investing in the Next Generation
[38:48] - Focusing on What You Have Left
[43:28] - Principles of Multiplication: Order, Blessing, and Giving
[49:10] - The Miracle in the Hands of the Disciples
[54:15] - Living Generously: God’s Trigger for Blessing
[59:15] - The Overflow: Baskets Full and a Hungry World
[01:13:15] - The Call to Reorder and Trust God
[01:18:37] - Prayer and Response

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Miracle of Multiplication

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### Bible Reading

- Luke 9:10-17 (Feeding of the 5,000)
- John 6:1-14 (Feeding of the 5,000 from John’s perspective)
- Proverbs 11:24-25 (“The world of the generous gets larger and larger, but the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The generous person will prosper.”) [01:08:30]

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### Observation Questions

1. In Luke 9:13, when Jesus tells the disciples, “You give them something to eat,” what is their immediate response, and what does this reveal about their perspective on their resources? [50:01]
2. According to the sermon, who actually provided the food that became the seed for the miracle, and why is it significant that this person was not included in the official count? [53:07]
3. What specific instructions did Jesus give before the miracle of multiplication took place, and why might this detail be important? (See Luke 9:14-15) [59:33]
4. After everyone had eaten, what was left over, and what might the 12 baskets symbolize in the context of the story? [01:12:00]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to work the miracle through the disciples’ hands rather than simply multiplying the food Himself and distributing it directly? [01:07:43]
2. The sermon highlights that the miracle began with a boy who was overlooked and not counted. What does this suggest about how God views and uses people whom society might ignore? [53:07]
3. The process of the miracle included bringing order, blessing what was given, and then giving it away. What might this sequence teach us about how God works in our lives and in the church? [01:01:40]
4. The pastor said, “The impact of my life is found in what I give away.” How does this challenge common ideas about success and legacy? [01:13:15]

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### Application Questions

1. The disciples initially focused on what they lacked rather than what they had left. Are there areas in your life where you tend to focus on what’s missing instead of what God has already given you? How could you shift your perspective this week? [54:15]
2. Jesus brought order before the miracle happened. Is there an area of your life—finances, time, relationships—that feels chaotic or disordered? What is one practical step you could take to bring order and invite God’s blessing? [01:01:40]
3. The boy’s lunch was small, but it became a miracle when placed in Jesus’ hands. What is something “small” in your life (a talent, resource, or opportunity) that you’ve been holding back? What would it look like to offer it to God first? [53:07]
4. The miracle happened as the disciples gave away what they had received. Is there something God is prompting you to give away—time, encouragement, finances, or something else—even if it feels insufficient? What’s holding you back? [01:07:43]
5. The sermon emphasized investing in and empowering the next generation. Who is a younger person in your life you could encourage, mentor, or support this month? What’s one specific way you could do that? [53:07]
6. The pastor shared a story about protecting a “happy meal” instead of living open-handedly. Are there “fries” in your life you’re holding onto tightly? What would it look like to trust God with them and live more generously? [01:10:00]
7. The impact of our lives is measured by what we give away, not what we accumulate. What is one thing you could give away this week—whether material, emotional, or spiritual—that could bless someone else? [01:13:15]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to trust God with what they have, to bring order where needed, and to live open-handedly so that God can multiply their impact for others.

Devotional

Day 1: God Multiplies What We Surrender to Him
When we bring what little we have to Jesus—even if it seems insignificant or overlooked—He is able to multiply it beyond what we could ever imagine. The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 began with a simple lunch in the hands of a boy who wasn’t even counted among the crowd, yet God used what was surrendered to bless thousands. You may feel like what you have is too small or unimportant, but God delights in using the unexpected and the overlooked to accomplish His purposes. Trust that your obedience and willingness to offer what you have can become the starting point for a miracle that impacts many. [53:07]

Luke 9:12-17 (ESV)
When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Reflection: What is one area of your life—no matter how small or overlooked—that you can surrender to God today, trusting Him to multiply it for His purposes?


Day 2: Order Precedes Multiplication
Before God brings multiplication, He calls us to bring order to our lives. Jesus instructed the disciples to have the crowd sit in organized groups before the miracle took place, showing that God’s nature is one of order and structure. Sometimes we long for God to move miraculously in our finances, relationships, or time, but we resist the discipline and organization that prepares the way for His blessing. When we align our lives with God’s order—whether in our schedules, priorities, or resources—we create space for His peace and for the miraculous to unfold. [01:02:43]

1 Corinthians 14:33, 40 (ESV)
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
But all things should be done decently and in order.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to bring order or structure so that you are ready for God’s multiplication?


Day 3: Blessing Comes When We Put God First
Multiplication happens when what we have is first brought to Jesus and blessed by Him. The disciples didn’t see the miracle until they placed the loaves and fish in Jesus’ hands, allowing Him to bless and break them. In the same way, when we bring the first and best of our resources, time, and talents to God, we invite His blessing on all that remains. This principle is seen in tithing, but it applies to every area of life—trusting that God can do more with what we surrender to Him first than we could ever do on our own. [01:04:15]

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can put God first in your resources or priorities this week, inviting His blessing over the rest?


Day 4: The Miracle Happens When We Give It Away
The miracle of multiplication didn’t happen in Jesus’ hands, but in the hands of the disciples as they gave away what had been blessed. It’s in the act of generosity—of giving away what God has entrusted to us—that we see His supernatural provision and impact. God is looking for people who will not only receive His blessing but will also become conduits of blessing to others. When we live open-handedly, trusting God enough to give freely, we trigger His generosity and experience a life that grows larger and more impactful. [01:07:43]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Reflection: Who is one person or group you can bless today by giving generously—whether with your time, encouragement, or resources?


Day 5: Every Miracle Begins with Reordering Your Life
Every miracle starts with a decision to reprioritize and put God first. The impact of your life is not found in what you achieve or accumulate, but in what you give away and how you allow God to work through you. When you reorder your life—making Christ the center and trusting Him with your future—you open the door for His multiplying power. This is an invitation to examine your heart, your habits, and your priorities, and to ask God to help you live a life that is ready for His miraculous multiplication. [01:18:37]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Reflection: What is one area where you need to reprioritize or reorder your life so that God is truly first, and how will you take a step toward that today?

Quotes

You just never know how God's going to use you, do you? You never know what someone's going to be talking about nine years later that you were just being obedient in in the moment. Your obedience results in stories like that. I just for those of you that have been hesitating to step into moments like that can I just encourage you you just never know what's on the other side of it. [00:34:45] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

God uses all kinds of people, people that we think maybe aren't qualified, aren't educated enough, don't come from the right background. God gets great delight out of using people that we don't think are qualified. Can I tell you that? Aren't you grateful for that? Because the truth is none of us are qualified. [00:53:07] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

The lunch was in the hands of the next generation. The miracle, hear me, was in the hands of a boy that was overlooked, not included in the count, not included in the count, and yet God goes that's exactly who we need to be investing in, pouring into, raising up and developing. [00:53:59] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

It's interesting that the Bible would say about God that God is a God of order. In other words, to expect God to do the miraculous in the middle of disorder is outside of his nature. Some of us are expecting God to act outside of his nature and his character. He's a God of order. And with the order comes peace. [01:02:01] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Not only do you need order, not only does it need to be blessed, but it has to be given away before it can multiply. It has to be given away. And this is the tension that we all face in our own lives, where God is asking us to do some things. And we keep responding, I don't have enough. This is, this is all I got. What if it doesn't happen, God? How do I know if this is going to work out? How do I know that you're going to provide? [01:06:07] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

I just wonder how many of us are spending a lot of our lives trying to protect our happy meal and god who can do immeasurably more than you could ask or think or imagine is like i could bury you in fries but you're too busy protecting your happy meal and i have heaps of fries waiting this is what the bible says he's waiting to look are you a conduit of blessing that i can now heap more blessing on all because you were willing to give it away. [01:13:15] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

Every miracle begins with you reordering some things in your life. And some of you, that's what you need to do is reorder your life, reprioritize your life. Every miracle begins with a reordering of your life, a reprioritization. [01:17:16] (23 seconds) Edit Clip