Treasures Within Reach Part 3 – What Is In Your Surroundings?

John 6:5-13 – “5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” (NIV)

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Our PERCEPTION influences our decisions, which in turn, determine our actions.  This is the reason why it is very important that we see things accurately and correctly,  If our perception is not deep and wide enough, we can be misled to make the WRONG DECISIONS that will then lead to WRONG ACTIONS. When the DOMINANT thoughts in our minds are DEFICIENCY, FEAR, and PROBLEMS, that will be all that we see. If we can only see our insufficiency, chances are we may miss the opportunities lying all around us.  It is because of this wrong perspective that we cannot seem to find any solution to our circumstance and we cannot even see other people who are in need.

We have to develop an EYE for ABUNDANCE and GOODNESS. A MINER has plenty of opportunities to see tons of dirt and rocks but he has TRAINED HIS EYES to look for GEMSTONES.  A GARBAGE COLLECTOR or SCAVENGER works just as hard, if not harder, but he has trained himself to spot GARBAGE from afar.  What do you see in a situation, an object, and a person? It is always easy to see the negative side of a situation, object, or person.  But God wants us to see the GOOD in every situation and person.  Remember:  God is simply NOT the Creator of anything or anyone that is UGLY, USELESS, and WORTHLESS. May we have eyes that perceive and ears that listen.

THE KEY TO BREAKTHROUGH

John 6:8-9, “8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”” (NIV)

The world teaches us that it takes a massive force or overwhelming numbers to effect a breakthrough.  But…it really does not take much to effect a breakthrough.  We do not need BIG KEYS to open BIG DOORS,   We only need to make sure it is the RIGHT key specifically for that particular door or lock.  In the midst  of 5,000 hungry men (excluding women and children), there is only one boy who was willing to share his little lunch with everybody.  I believe other people there brought some food but they were not willing to share.  The boy was not even counted among 5,000 men, yet he was willing to share.

God responds to our faith, not to our emotional pleas.  Our faith provides the PLATFORM for God to PERFORM  Faith has two parts:  Believing and Obeying.  Our obedience validates our faith. We can profess what we believe, but unless we have the corresponding action of obedience, it is not faith at all.  Faith is not just declaring the verses in the Bible.  Faith is declaring the word of God and quietly acting on obedience.

REEVALUATING ABUNDANCE

Matthew 6:19-21 – “19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NIV)

People often focus on accumulating wealth and treasures on earth.  But we know two things about treasures:  First, we cannot bring anything out of this world when we die; Secondly, our treasure in the world may not be convertible to heavenly treasure since they use gold, which we highly value, as pavement of the streets in heaven (Revelations 21:21). This is why Luke 12:21 indicated, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God (NLT).”  Sadly, there are many poor rich people because all they have are only moneys – nothing more; nothing less; nothing else.

When we talk about abundance we usually refer to money or physical assets like property, business, bonds, stock certificates, bar, etc.  So people tend to classify rich and poor based on the money they have.

Countries are described either first-world, third-world, rich nation, poor nation.  Some of the so-called poorest nations are actually the wealthiest nations.  While they may be short of cash, they are blessed with a very rich history and cultural heritage, a young population, or they are blessed with rich mineral and natural resources.  On the other hand, many other so-called rich countries are actually  not that rich because they do not have natural resources.  They have a small population or an ageing population, and their thriving industries are polluting the air and water, thus, resulting in the poor health of the population.

If we have the traditional mindset of what abundance is, we will be missing out on what God can do in our lives.  Many of the resources we need are not in the form of cash and other assets.  It may be an idea, a system, recipe, song, poem, or a dream that refuses to go away.  Look at the kid who offered 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.  He didn’t have money but he has something to offer to the Lord and people out there.

Proverbs 11:24-25 – “24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (NIV).”  2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (NIV)