Matthew 19:16-17 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
Methods are specific techniques or procedures used to collect and analyze data. Methodology on the other hand is the overall strategy, rationale, and theoretical framework that guides the choices and the use of the methods. In God’s economy, resources multiply by dividing. Multiplying by dividing may sound like an oxymoron, but it is God’s divine method and sovereign methodology of provision.
God’s overall governing plan or methodology of redemption for humanity is to help, heal and honour. However, He might use different methods in the restoration process.
Jesus took the bare meal that was in the hands of a little boy before He fed the hungry congregation. The meager resources in human hands had to transfer into the Sovereign hands before it multiplied. The principle of multiplication was invoked as soon as the parting took place. To give away the little that was left does not sound logical to a human mind. But parting is the secret of multiplication.
Similarly, the widow of Zarephath, during the severe famine, had sufficient bread and water in her home as she first fed the Prophet Elijah with the little that she had. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son (1 Kings 18:13b). She had to first ‘give’ before she could ‘get’!
God’s method of multiplication is by division. We first give in faith before we receive the abundance. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops (Proverbs 3:9). Honour God with the first and the best, then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine (Proverbs 3:10). We don’t give to get but giving and generosity are expressions of gratitude and faith and are the principle of multiplication in God’s economy.
Jesus, the Provider:
- Miser: Misers, the hoarders, are the poorest in this world.
- Multiplier: Generous givers are multipliers.
- Maker: Everything we have belongs to the Maker.
In God’s economy division multiplies.
Prayer: Dearest Father, You are my source. Help me to practice the principle of multiplying by dividing. Amen.
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