The Resource Maker - Mark 8:5-7

Then Jesus asked them, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" The followers answered, "We have seven loaves of bread." Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then Jesus took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. Jesus divided the bread and gave the pieces to his followers. Jesus told the followers to give the bread to the people. The followers obeyed him. The followers also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for the fish and told the followers to give the fish to the people. (ERV)   Full Text

God is the One who gives seed to the person who plants. And he gives bread for food. And God will give you {spiritual} seed and make your seed grow. He will make a great harvest from your goodness (giving). God will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will make people give thanks to God. This service that you do helps the needs of God's people. But that is not all your service does. It is also bringing more and more thanks to God. This service you do is a proof {of your faith}. People will praise God because of this. They will praise God because you follow the gospel of Christ--the gospel you say you believe. People will praise God because you freely share with them and with all people. And when those people pray, they will wish they could be with you. They will feel this because of the great grace (kindness) that God gave you. Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful to explain. 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (ERV) God says, "My people, listen to me! People of Israel, I will show my evidence against you. I am God, your God. I am not complaining about your sacrifices. You people of Israel bring me your burnt offerings all the time. You give them to me every day. I will not take bulls from your house. I will not take goats from your stalls. I don't need those animals. I already own all the animals in the forest. I already own all the animals on thousands of mountains. I know every bird on the highest mountain. Every moving thing in the hills are mine. {I am not hungry!} But if I were hungry, I would not have to ask you for food. I already own the world and everything on it. I don't eat meat from bulls. I don't drink blood from goats." So bring your thank offerings {to share with the other worshipers} and come to be with God. You made promises to God Most High, so give him the things you promised. {God says,} "Call for me when you have troubles! I will help you. And then you can honor me." Psalm 50:7-15 (ERV) There will always be poor people in the land. That is why I command you to be ready to help your brother. Give to the poor people in your land that need help. Deuteronomy 15:11 (ERV)