John 6 -Fish ‘n Chips and God’s Math-ing.

Title: Fish ‘n Chips and God’s Math-ing.

John 6:1-21

God is our provider and the source of all our provision.

all of scripture points to Jesus…many illusions of Jesus in OT revealed in this passage.

OT concealed is revealed in NT.

JIREH - God who sees ahead and makes provision.

John gives a few details and summarizes other parts. This miracle is the only one recorded in all 4 gospel accounts.

Jesus sat down on the mountain…this is yet another illusion to moses as a foreshadow of jesus.

mountains are places of encounter

twelve baskets leftover could refer to how God provides for the twelve tribes or Jesus new and perfect government (see isaiah prophecy).. But it is absolutely an indication of God’s unstinting bounty.

Jesus knows.

god never asks a question because he doesn’t know something.

…knows our hearts

…knows our situations

…knows our future

Jesus tests.

tests and temptations are different

tests reveal how we have grown; temptations trip us up.

…money is always a test of our hearts

“Money flows effortlessly to that which is its god." - Tim Keller

…test us to see if we will walk in trust by obedience

in the other gospel accounts, it says the food was multiplied as they distributed…see, multiplication comes as a confirmation of obedience not as prequel, convincing us to obey. thats how seeds work.

collect the leftovers….

2 Corinthians 9:1-2;5-8;10-13

seeds…like an apple

Jesus conquers.

Jesus conquers fear and unseen realm.

two things Jesus helps us conquer:

(1) Fear of Lack

Most people don’t give generously because of fear.

fear we will be taken advantage of..fear of trusting digital systems.

these fears are not without logic…so many scams.

be wise (no government or legit institution will initiate email or text to get you reset password or give financial info. Only occurs when you initiate with their system directly)

be inquisitive

be alert

be inconvenienced (two factor authentication, strong passwords, pay for identity protection)

God has not given us a spirit of fear.

we need to be set free, not just from fear, but the unquenchable thirst for more.

(2) Thirst for More

In his book Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life, John C. Bogle shares a story that I return to often.

"At a party on Shelter Island hosted by a billionaire hedge fund manager, author Kurt Vonnegut turned to his friend Joseph Heller, the writer of Catch-22, and said, "Joe, our host made more money yesterday than you’ve earned from your famous book over its entire history."

Heller simply replied,

"Yes, but I have something he will never have… enough."

That line pierces through the fog of comparison, envy, and cultural ambition like a dagger.

ENOUGH.

It’s a word our generation barely knows how to say anymore.

We scroll, swipe, click, and consume. Always more. Always better. Always next.

But if you never define enough, you will never be free.

And if you are never free, you will never be generous.

If the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil,

then perhaps the love of generosity is the root of all kinds of good.

Jesus knows how to meet our needs;

Imagine your life being driven by the love of generosity.

Imagine financial decisions shaped not by fear of lack, but by joy in blessing.

Imagine wealth not as status, but stewardship.

how do we conquer the fear and greed?

Generosity is the way of those who call Christ their Lord.

OT - giving was symbolic and required by law.

NT - giving is systematic and sacrificial.

giving is a gifting by God…

Healing is also gift, but I don’t seem to “have” that gift expression often…yet I still pray for people to be healed.

You may not have the spiritual gift of leadership, but that doesn’t mean you can bail on leading your kids.

As one author puts it, "Giving out of guilt cannot sustain generosity. It only makes us ask: ‘How low does my lifestyle need to go to appease my conscience?’ It doesn’t liberate our hearts. It just rearranges our shame."

Jesus never used guilt as a motivator. He used grace. The kind of grace He modelled throughout His whole life. "Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich." (2 Cor. 8:9)

This is why we give.

Not to appease guilt, but to echo grace.

Not to earn favor, but to extend the favor we’ve already received.

Define "Enough"

Set a clear standard for sufficiency. Everything beyond that line?

Treat it as seed, not surplus.

Pick a Stretch Percentage

Choose a level of giving that stretches your faith, joyfully, not reluctantly.

Don’t wait to feel rich to start living generously.

Practice Secret Giving

Give in hidden ways that bypass applause and direct your reward toward heaven. It purifies the motive and deepens the joy.

Create an Agape Fund

Set aside money exclusively for kingdom generosity. Not for upgrades, just for impact. Start small and scale it up.

Train Your Heart to Love It

Ask God to form in you a joyful instinct to give, not under compulsion, but out of grace.

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Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group)

The message was about the Jesus being our provider. What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you?

Read John 6:1-21. What is the Holy Spirit saying through these verses?

What distinctions are there between tests and temptations?

Read 2 Corinthians 9. What are key truths in this passage?

What does it mean to define 'enough' in the context of generosity?

How does fear hinder generosity?