https://odb.org/2026/01/08/small-and-mighty
John 6:5–15 (NIV): 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
On December 9, 1987, a squirrel chewed through a power line in Connecticut, and the Nasdaq’s vast financial machinery blinked, sighed, and went dark. Some of the world’s largest corporations stood limp and listless. Global economies watched, sweating bullets for nearly an hour and a half. All because of one tenacious, furry rodent.
When we ponder the many complex global crises in addition to the bewildering concerns in our own neighborhoods and families, we’re tempted to believe that our seemingly small efforts lack power. But Scripture tells us to act in obedience and trust as God helps us—assured that with Him, small things can become mighty (John 6:10-12). (Winn Collier, Our Daily Bread 8th January 2026)
The miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand men (more when you count the wen and children) with just five barley loaves and two fish, and in another recorded event, His feeding of four thousand (Mark 8:1-10), both highlighted that He is the Messiah as well as the spiritual principle that much may be achieved through small contributions.
They also speak of the abundance of God’s provision in our lives. During ancient times, Elijah miraculously provided a widow, about to have her last meal with her child, with endless flour to continue to make bread for 3 and the half years for the whole duration of the drought/famine.
Although what we may be able to give is small seen in the context of the larger scheme of things (a few hundred to a few thousand Ringgit), God is able to multiply and use it for His glory in His Kingdom. Sometimes a gift of a thousand makes a difference when the recipient was just short of a thousand for that month. So don’t despise your small giving. Like the child with the 5 loaves and 2 fish, Jesus was able to feed five thousand men (more when women and children were counted), Jesus is able to do much with your small giving. In fact there is a famous story of a girl giving just a few cents leading to an avalanche of donors contributing towards the eventual building of a university. Google the story of Hattie May Wiatt, a poor girl who gave 57 cents that was used as a catalyst by her pastor to raise enough funds to buy land that one day became the Temple University and the Temple Hospital.
The other aspect of the feeding of the five thousand is God’s provision for us that may well be endless as augmented by the widow’s experience with Elijah. As small could do a lot also speaks of God’s provision and abundance. There is much God can give and provide for us as we believe in Him and commit our lives to Him.
If we are facing financial difficulties, know that God provides if we put our trust in Him. At the same time, don’t hesitate to give when prompted as our small gift may lead to the opening of the abundant blessings in the heavens for the Kingdom of God that may in due course also bless our own lives!
Ronnie's Thoughts 