Read: Matthew 17:20
Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” In most circumstances, I think he was absolutely right. In the church especially, I’ve seen many well-meaning Christians look at what God is doing in someone else’s life and wonder if they’re doing something wrong because their own path looks different. This kind of comparison can lead to frustration or even a desire to give up. After all, how can we measure up when someone else always seems to be more gifted, capable, or fruitful?
We might look at someone’s ability to serve or give and feel like our own contribution is inadequate. Or worse, we might tell ourselves we don’t need to contribute at all. “They’ve got it covered,” we think. “They have so much more time and resources—my little offering won’t make a difference.” But this mindset couldn’t be further from the truth. God isn’t looking for equal contributions; He’s looking for faithful hearts willing to trust Him.
God takes the small things we offer and multiplies them beyond what we could imagine. It’s not about the size of our gift but the size of our faith in a big God. Jesus said that even faith as small as a mustard seed could move mountains because it’s not the seed that holds power—it’s the One we’re placing our trust in.
Just like the disciples saw Jesus feed 5,000 people with a small lunch, we too can see God do miraculous things when we trust Him with what we have. Faith isn’t about having all the answers or resources; it’s about stepping out in trust, knowing that God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine.
Think about areas in your life where you’ve hesitated to trust God. Are you holding back because you feel like what you have to offer isn’t enough? God doesn’t need much to create something miraculous—He just needs your willingness to believe in Him.
Reflection Questions:
- What small “mustard seed” of faith can you plant in your life today?
- How have you seen God multiply your efforts in the past?
- Where is God asking you to trust Him to do abundantly more?