Sharing

​Hebrews 13:16
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”

    Many of you reading this article are aware of the addition made to the Mission 5000 ministry over the last two years. The Marketplace is a food distribution ministry. It was brought about by one man’s question after receiving a meal at Mission 500. You see, the only food he had was in the bag he held in his hand. He asked if we had any other food for the remainder of the week.
    We were able to gather up some canned goods to help him through until the next meal. Long story short, that one question and many prayers have brought us to where we are today. We are able to provide hot meals twice a week and distribute canned and dry goods, produce, milk and many other food and health items numerous times during the week.
    It is a wonderful thing we are able to do, and it is all because the support and grace we receive. Just as in John 6:9 when a boy emerges with two fish and five barley loaves of bread, Jesus knows there is plenty. He already knows there will be leftovers. That act provided many lessons. However, the main thing we need to understand is the lesson that God always provides.
    That story starts with a little boy sharing food with strangers. Isn’t it inspiring to see someone come forward and offer to help others? Often those others become inspired and give of their time or talents.  You see we often have a passion or gift we don’t understand.  And, it is not really how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.
    We have an elderly woman who comes to this church every week and receives food. Several weeks ago, she made a banana cake and presented it to our volunteers to show her appreciation. Although many people today frown over presenting food such as a cake, everyone was over the moon. You see, this frail woman used many of the food items we had provided her to share her love to our volunteers. Just as in John 6:9, there was cake left over. Enough so that Troy Guinn had a piece and took the remainder home.
    Over the past two years we have changed many of the things we would never have questioned before. Making a cake and presenting it to others in public is one. But, what if we tried other things? How about making a phone call to someone you haven’t seen in church lately? Or a birthday card to let a church member know you remembered them? How about offering to give someone a ride? Volunteering to help the youth and children? You see, that cake can be anything you desire it to be. Sharing for others is best quoted by Sir Winston Churchill when he stated “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give”

Jim Silvi
Lay Servant and
Mission 5000 Chairperson