Sermon: Giving it all Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21

I wonder how you like to spend your money? Elaine and I were talking the other day and we were saying that the majority of our money goes on food - not because Elaine and I pig out all the time (not that you would think it by my figure), but because there are always at least five people in our house and at weekends usually six or seven: next weekend there may be anything up to 12 or so! Consequently a lot of our money goes on food.

What really annoys me is when I see that food wasted. I had to throw some doughnuts away this morning that were out of date and they were bought especially for me! I felt really bad; not only because money was wasted but because in other parts of the world, they would have helped to keep someone alive. The amount we all waste can be phenomenal.

It's so frustrating when I have to throw a third of a bottle of coke away that's been put in a glass and then just left to grow mould by certain members of our household who shall remain nameless! If I added all the money up that our household wastes on food, I could easily give a donation of £100 per year to a charity!

When you choose to spend your money on something you think is going to be really useful and then it is disappointing, it's such a let down isn't it? You often wish afterwards that you had saved the money don't you? Elaine and I went to a Christmas spectacular once to see Jackie Clune live - we took friends with us and raved about how Christmas shows at the Drill Hall in London were always fantastic, then when we got there it was total rubbish. We were bitterly disappointed and embarrassed in front of our friends. We would rather have spent our money on having a meal together: still we'll never go to see her again. So we've all lost out really.

It's also hard to watch someone you love waste their money on things that you know may end in tragedy or disaster. You try to warn them but they won't listen. Sometimes you have to wait for the event to go terribly wrong and then out of love just pick up the pieces rather than say: 'I told you so!' That's how it is with our parent God you know - God loves us so much and God can see that often what we spend our money on and give our time to, is not going to be any good for us at all.

God wants more for us than that - God knows we need the power and love of the Holy Spirit in our lives to make us truly satisfied with what we have. And given a chance, God will not let us down. As Christians, we will all still have problems, illnesses and hurts but whereas without God being there we would have no purpose in life, suddenly with Jesus at our side, every event is manageable however difficult it may be.

Look at the crowds that followed Jesus - they knew that God had something to say and they were hungry to hear what it was. Did Jesus disappoint them? No - He healed their sick, He told them about God's love and even though he was clearly exhausted, He took the time to guide them in the knowledge that God was there for them - always.

Then when it was late, and quite a long trek home, (people travelled miles in those days to hear a prophet), the disciples wanted to send them away - they wanted Jesus for themselves I guess - they loved Him dearly - but Jesus said if you really care about these people you will feed them. Clearly they had already anticipated His response as they replied there was not enough.

Yes there is Jesus said. Yes there is! They must have thought He was stark raving mad. Can you imagine if that had been you or I? Elaine and I couldn't even feed our standard five at home on that, let alone 5000! She'd have been in a total panic as only Elaine can and she'd have been forever saying that everyone hadn't had enough. If you ever get to our house for a meal you'll understand what I mean - there is always enough to feed at least twice the amount of people that are present!

I think what we need to ask ourselves is why was there enough. Indeed there was a miracle and let's face it Jesus' speciality was miracles, but why was the miracle able to happen. Well, partly I believe it was because Jesus blessed the food and He had faith that God the Parent was able to increase what was there; but more importantly I believe that it was because that young boy gave ALL he had willingly. And that is what Jesus always uses - all we have - as long as we give it to Him willingly.

However old or young you are, are you ready for Jesus to use your life with no conditions? You know like, well Lord, you can use me today 'cos it's Sunday but when I'm out with my friends in the week, back off a bit OK? If there are no conditions on your relationship with God, then God will indeed help you to give love, time, blessings and hope to others who need it. If you are ready for Jesus to use your life, then He will and through it He will bring new life to many others.

What about this church? Are we willing to be used by Jesus? If we truly are, then Jesus will give us the opportunity to reach out to others in Brighton and to show them the way to a loving, caring and committed God, who only ever wants us to experience peace, hope and joy through a relationship with Jesus.

Just as that young boy gave all he had and in so doing he helped to feed over 5000 people, so if we can give all we have to Jesus to use our talents, time and money, then we too will reach out to thousands and help to bring them into God's Realm and to experience Jesus in all His fullness.