“You give them something to eat.” Luke 9:13

No doubt few things stunned the Twelve who followed the Son more than the time he rebuked ’em by saying, “You give them something to eat.”

Folks had come from all over ter hear the Son preach on Skipper’s kingdom. Fer days leading up ter this the Son had healed all who come ter him. Demons whar cast out and afflictions fled. Folks flocked ter get more of this healing and help.

So when the Twelve came ter him in private and warned that he needed ter disperse the crowd so they could get a mouthful ter eat, no doubt they thought thar compassionate advice would be rewarded. Instead the Son all but said, “You take care of ’em.

In response ter this gentle rebuke the Twelve answered, “Unless we buy food, we only have …  Lemmy see,” said Simon, grabbing the small provisions. “Ah couple of fish and some bread, that’s it.”

Unless the Son steps in we only ‘ave … ourselves ter fix our problems—and that be one of the main lessons from this tale. What we kin not do the Son kin and do even more.

Quick like, let’s look at how the Son made abundance out of scarcity.

• He spoke ’bout the kingdom of Skip. That be step one. Lead with Skipper’s words, his Truth, his love. Speak less ’bout what we think and more ’bout what Skip says.
  

  Jesus welcomed all and spoke to them about the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:14)

• He looked ter heaven and Skip fer his help. We must as well.
  

  I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1)

• Little or much, always give thanks fer what we ‘ave. An attitude of gratitude opens the heavenly gates of provision.
  

  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)

• Break, divide, and sort what we ‘ave. A little kin go a long way. Broken down, small problems be easier ter conquer than big ones.
  

  “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says. ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry.’” (1 Kings 17:14)

• Distribute ter those willing ter help. Don’ try ter do it all yer self. Give them who offer ter assist a task and hold ’em account.
  

  “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

• Carefully place yer provision be fer folks. Don’ simply toss it out like ya be feeding hogs, but gentle like serve up the yam.
  

  The servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. (Matthew 22:10)

If we do this all ‘ill be satisfied and remains ‘ill be gathered. None ‘ill be worn out from the work. Joy ‘ill follow and all ‘ill be filled. That is the lesson on gaining provision Jesus’ way.