6:7 - Trusting God with What You Have

"Philip answered Him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.'" — John 6:7

Reflection

John 6:7 takes place right before one of Jesus’ most famous miracles—the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples were facing a huge crowd that needed food, and Jesus asked Philip where they could buy bread for everyone. Philip’s answer was practical and honest: even with a large amount of money, they wouldn’t be able to give everyone more than a little to eat. In that moment, Philip saw only the limits—the size of the crowd, the lack of resources, and how impossible the situation seemed.

This verse captures the way we often react when faced with big challenges. Like Philip, we tend to look at what we have and quickly realize it’s not enough. It’s easy to let doubts and worries take over, especially when we feel responsible for fixing something that seems way too big. The disciples were close to Jesus, but even they struggled to see beyond what was obvious to them. They focused on the shortage instead of remembering who was standing with them—the One who could do the impossible.

John 6:7 teaches a powerful lesson about faith and limitations. It shows that God isn’t limited by what we see or what we have. While we might see only our weaknesses or what’s missing, Jesus sees potential and possibility. He invites us to bring whatever little we have to Him, trusting that He can multiply it and do more than we expect. This story challenges us to shift our focus from our limitations to God’s greatness, and to believe that He can use even the smallest offering for something amazing.

Personal Application

If you’re a teenager, you probably know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by expectations or problems that seem too big to handle. Whether it’s dealing with schoolwork, friendship drama, family struggles, or worries about the future, there are times when what you have—your energy, your time, your confidence—just doesn’t feel like enough. Reading Philip’s response in John 6:7 can be comforting, because it shows that even Jesus’ closest friends felt the same way sometimes.

But this verse is also a reminder that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own or have all the answers. Jesus didn’t ask Philip to solve the problem single-handedly; He wanted Philip to see the need and trust Him with it. When you feel like you have “just a little”—whether it’s a small amount of faith, a few words of encouragement, or a little bit of time—God can use it in ways you never imagined. He isn’t looking for perfection; He’s inviting you to trust Him with whatever you have, no matter how small it seems.

Stepping out in faith might mean volunteering to help someone, sharing your story, or simply asking God for help when life feels overwhelming. It’s about offering your “little” to God and believing He can make it more than enough. When you start to trust Him with your limitations, you’ll see Him show up in unexpected ways—helping you through tough times, giving you courage, or using you to bless others. The miracle isn’t just about what you bring; it’s about what God can do through you.

Thought-Provoking Questions

1. Can you think of a time when you felt like you didn’t have enough to offer? What happened, and how did you handle it?
2. What does it mean to trust God with your limitations instead of focusing on them?
3. How might your day change if you chose to give even your “little” to God and let Him use it?
4. Who in your life needs encouragement or help right now, and how can you offer what you have—even if it feels small?

Prayer

God, thank You for loving me just as I am and for seeing potential in what I have, even when it feels small. Help me remember that You are not limited by what I see or what I think is possible. Teach me to trust You with my worries, my doubts, and my challenges. Give me courage to step out in faith and offer what I have, believing that You can use it for something bigger than I can imagine. Show me how to encourage others and be a blessing, even when I don’t feel like I have much to give. Thank You for always being with me and for turning my “little” into more than enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.