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Will you give me your lunch?

by Chrissi Ellankoon  
3/17/2007 / Christian Living

Will you give me your lunch?

There is an old man sitting on a park bench, I pass him everyday as I walk into work. Most of the time he is asleep and doesn't even seem to notice that the day has begun and that the people are passing him by. I often wonder how he ended up here on this park bench in the middle of the city. What did life throw him that he felt that this was his only option?


Most mornings I try not to dwell on it too much instead I say a silent prayer and ask God to bless him. The problem of homelessness is so large it is sometimes better not to even let myself think about it. So I pray and ask God to give me a thankful heart, if nothing else I have a home to go to and food on the table. By the time I get into the office and sit at my computer, the man on the park bench vanishes from my thoughts and I launch into my working day.


One morning things are different. I walk past and he is awake, he almost has a smile on his face. I really want to give him some money. I know that he might spend it gambling, on smokes or alcohol but I want him to realize that I see him. I want him to realize that someone cared enough to stop. As I approach him I fiddle with my purse and on this occasion there is nothing much in it except some coins that wouldn't be enough to get him a coffee.


Immediately I begin to reason that God mustn't want me to give him the money, maybe for all the wrong things that he would spend it on. So I begin to walk on past him. But I am unsettled and small voice asks, "will you give him your lunch?" well my lunch is nothing fantastic, it's a sandwich and a couple of biscuits (nothing to write home about). He might not even like what's in the sandwich and will probably just throw it away. It really doesn't seem like much. All these thoughts are racing around in my head but that voice is so compelling that I turn around and make my way back to the man. I have no words to say to him and all I can think of is the most ridiculous thing that I am about to do. I reach into my bag and take out my lunch. I just smile and say have a great day and God bless you. A dirty, worn, old hand stretches out and takes what I have to offer. There are no words from him, not really even a smile. I continue on my way to work.


(John 6:1-114)
A young boy going on his way to work was given some lunch. His mum lovingly packed what she had to offer her son to sustain him for the day, five barley loaves and two small fish. This would be sufficient for one young boy. He stopped to see what the large gathering was all about. Who was this man and what were these teachings? A man from the crowd approaches the young boy, this man is Phillip. He notices that the young boy has some bread and fish. Philip wonders what good 2 fish and 5 loaves will be among 5000 Never the less he takes the food from the young boy and gives it to Jesus. This lad has no idea what is going to take place, but he gives up his lunch. Unlike me, this boy probably does not have any money to replace to his lunch and so giving up his lunch was a much bigger sacrifice. I can't imagine what went through his mind, except what was he going to do when he got hungry and how was he going to explain this to his mother. But Jesus took what the boy had to offer and gave thanks for it. Then, He shared it around and a miracle took place, 5000 were fed.


This miracle raises a couple of interesting points. I never knew what my lunch would do for this homeless man. It is seemed very insignificant considering his plight and that of homeless people. But what if this young boy did not give up his lunch. What if he could only see 2 fish and 5 loaves. It was a generous heart that allowed this young boy to witness a miracle that would bless many.


Will you give God your lunch?


Most of the time what Jesus asks of us is not mighty and big. Most of the time God asks of us what is already in our hands. He wants us to give him what we have in our possession. While it may not seem like much, if we give thanks for it and release it to our Father there is no telling what He can do with it or what miracle will take place.


So many times as Christians we look for the big things. God must want us to leave our jobs or sell our house or go and become a missionary. I am not saying that God never asks for those things, but mostly He doesn't. We are so afraid to pray and see what God wants, in case He wants something we don't have or can't do. Most of the time God wants something as simple as your lunch!


While this might seem like an odd concept, it's actually very simple. God just wants you to use what you have, to bless others. It could be your lunch or you might have some clothes that you don't wear anymore that are in great condition. You may be getting a dividend from some shares that could be sown into kingdom purposes. It may not seem like much but added with the rest of God's family it could change communities. You might love cooking, well find out who needs a meal, not just because they are sick but maybe because you just want to bless them.


Are you starting to get the picture? What else do you have at your disposal? Ask God and don't worry how small or insignificant it might be, give thanks for it and release it to your Father, then watch as He blesses what you have to offer and performs miracles.

So, will you give God your lunch?

Chrissi is passionate about equipping people for God's service. Her mandate is to use the Word of God to inspire and ignite the passions of others.

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