Trusting God with Our Meager Offerings: Understanding the True Meaning of Lent
Trusting God with Our Meager Offerings: Understanding the True Meaning of Lent
The Lenten season is not about proving our worth to God or earning extra points for heaven. Rather, it’s a time to improve our faith by setting aside worldly distractions and drawing closer to God through fasting and spiritual focus.
What is the True Purpose of Fasting?
Fasting is not just about abstaining from food – it’s about gaining control over our fleshly desires that crowd out our spiritual connection with God. When we fast, we:
Remove distractions that prevent us from hearing God clearly
Humble ourselves before God
Ask for His guidance and direction
Remind ourselves of our relationship with Him
What Can We Learn from the Story of Loaves and Fishes?
The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 demonstrates important principles about trusting God:
The disciples focused on their limited resources and abilities
A young boy offered his meager lunch of 5 loaves and 2 fish
Jesus took this small offering and multiplied it miraculously
Not only were 5,000 fed, but 12 baskets of leftovers remained
How Does God Use Our Limited Resources?
When we give God our “meager” offerings:
He can turn them into miracles
He multiplies our gifts beyond what we imagine possible
He uses them to touch lives far beyond our reach
The impact can last for generations
The key is being willing to offer whatever we have, regardless of how insignificant it may seem.
Life Application
This week, consider:
What “meager” resources or abilities are you holding back from God?
What worldly distractions need to be set aside during this Lenten season?
How might God multiply your small offerings for His kingdom?
Challenge yourself to:
Identify one thing you can offer to God this week, no matter how small
Fast from something that distracts you from hearing God’s voice
Trust that God can use your limited resources in miraculous ways
Questions for reflection:
What areas of my life am I relying on my own abilities rather than trusting God?
How have I seen God multiply small offerings in the past?
What is holding me back from giving my “meager” to God?