God-Given Purpose: Lessons from the Five Loaves and Two Fish Story

This story is all about lessons from the five loaves and two fish story

We can learn some powerful, life-changing lessons from the world-famous story in the Bible, of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish (read it in Matthew 14:13-21). Given that this story is so well known, you might be surprised how many people don’t know the full context or what Jesus was trying to teach us through this event.

Let’s take a look at biblical lessons we can learn from the story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes.

P.S The stock photo I used in this blog post is Jesus feeding children with watermelons🤣…please disregard…this is the best photo I could find LOL.

Ready? Let’s go!

Why I’m writing this post

As Christians, we often face struggles in pursuing our purpose and mission in life. It can be tempting to get discouraged and give up when things become overwhelming or difficult, but that would be the wrong choice. Instead, we should press on in faith, knowing that God will provide what we need and encourage us through various circumstances along the way.

I was recently reminded of this when God started speaking to me about how Jesus fed the 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. He confirmed this message twice in the same day! This story showed me that no matter how big a task may seem or how lacking our resources may appear; God is still capable of great miracles if we are willing to trust Him with it. This message was reinforced just days later when I won my first book award shortly after God spoke to me! I actually mentioned the story of feeding the 5000 here (read after this post).

It is incredible how God can use messages that appear mundane to build us up and help us on our journey. We should be sure to take note of these reminders, for they are evidence of His faithfulness and provision in our lives. So let us not give up amid difficulties but rather be encouraged by the knowledge that God is with us and will always provide exactly what we need when we need it. He is faithful!

Summary of the story of the five loaves and two fish story

The story of the boy with five loaves and two fish, found in Matthew 14:13-21, a young boy was willing to give up his meager lunch to feed thousands of people. Although he had so little food available at hand, he trusted that Jesus could use even a small amount for a greater purpose. By sacrificing his lunch, the boy demonstrated his obedience to Jesus’ command and trusted that God could provide more than he had available.

Why did the boy have 5 loaves and 2 fish?

The Bible does not state why the boy had five loaves and two fish, but his willingness to give up his meager lunch serves as an example of obedience to Jesus’ command. This miracle teaches several biblical lessons, such as the principle of sacrifice, trust in God’s power over circumstances, focus on mission, and service to God wholeheartedly.

Let’s discuss these lessons in detail:

7 lessons on the five loaves and two fish story

1. Principle of sacrifice

As stated earlier, the principle of sacrifice is an essential biblical lesson taught through the story of the boy with five loaves and two fish. This teaches us that we should be willing to present our own resources in service of God’s will and trust that He can provide more than we have available. Sacrifice is an integral part of faith and obedience to God. We can use our limited resources to honor and glorify His name by understanding this principle.

2. Multiplication is God’s responsibility, not ours!

The miracle of the five loaves and two fish also illustrates the principle of multiplication is God’s responsibility. The young boy did not have enough food to feed thousands of people, but with the use of faith in Jesus Christ, what was seemingly impossible became possible. The same applies in our lives today; when we are willing to surrender all we have, God can do infinitely greater things with it!

“For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

3. God is in control

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).

This verse highlights that no matter what we plan or do, God remains ultimately in control, and His will shall prevail. It’s essential to keep this truth close to our hearts to ensure that our plans align with His will. Remember- no matter how hopeless or dire a situation may seem, even when there are insurmountable odds ahead- God was able to make a way.

4. Focus on the mission and serving God wholly

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

This passage encourages us to make serving God our top priority, and when we do so, He will take care of the rest. We should focus on fulfilling His mission for our lives rather than trying to pursue our own selfish ambitions.

5. God is our source

“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

This passage reminds us that God is always there for us, ready to provide for all our needs according to His glorious riches. We must trust in Him as our source and not rely solely on ourselves or others.

6. Persevere during trials

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

This verse teaches us to keep going even when times are difficult. God is with us through every struggle and trial we face and will reward our perseverance.

7. Have faith

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

This verse encourages us to trust in God’s plans for our lives. He has already mapped out a path of success and abundance for us; all we need is faith and courage to take the first step.

8. Focus on God

This miracle teaches us to stay focused on the mission and serve God wholeheartedly. Use your giftings to serve God!

9. Spreading the gospel

This story also highlights that being a follower of Christ and reading His Word shouldn’t be something we just keep to ourselves. We are all called by God to be vocal about what we believe and use the Word of God to help those who may need it.

Mark 16:15 states, “go into all the world and preach the gospel,” meaning that no matter where you go, no matter who you are with, never forget your faith and let others around you know.

However, understand that representing our faith doesn’t have to mean going on missions or anything grandiose! It could simply be having an honest conversation with someone sharing your story and how God blessed you through it.

10. God can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine

God can do exceedingly abundantly, and we can walk in the extraordinary abundance of God. This means that no matter how impossible a task may seem, God is always capable of providing far more than what we could ever ask for.

Additionally, this also implies that when we put our trust in Him and walk in obedience to His will, He will bless us with extraordinary abundance. By understanding this, we can keep our eyes focused on God and His promises as we live out our lives in His service. 

Don’t give up on your purpose journey

For Christians, the pursuit of purpose can sometimes be disheartening and difficult. When we look around and see how easy it appears for others to achieve success, it’s tempting to give up on our dreams as if God has forgotten about us. This is a lie from the enemy that seeks to rob us of the many blessings God has in store for us; He will never forget His promises!

So when we feel discouraged and like giving up, it’s important to remember that nothing is too hard for God, no matter what circumstances may arise or how impossible things may seem. We must stay encouraged by the hope in Him and remain faithful throughout our journey.

God is always with us, guiding and leading us in the right direction. He knows our struggles and will always send strength, courage, and perseverance to keep us on this journey of purpose. Through His power, we can overcome any challenges that come our way as we pursue our purpose-filled life.

It’s time to stand firm in faith, trusting God to bring good out of every difficulty. So don’t give up; stay strong and hold onto your dreams! Have faith that no matter what, God is with you every step of the way. He will lead you through this season of life into a season full of joy and success!

And that’s it, folks, lessons from the five loaves and two fish story!

Here are some takeaways:

• The story of the five loaves and two fish is a powerful reminder of what is possible when we trust God. Jesus used just five loaves of bread and two fish to feed the 5,000 – a miracle demonstrating His power and glory.
• This story also teaches us about our purpose as Christians – we are called to care for those in need and share the Good News with others. As we follow Jesus’ example, He will guide us and help us fulfill the unique purpose He has created for each one of us.
• In addition, it’s an important reminder that when we are obedient and faithful to God’s will, He can perform miracles through our limited resources. By understanding these biblical lessons of sacrifice, trusting in God’s power over circumstances, focusing on mission, and serving Him wholeheartedly, we can use our resources to glorify and honor Him.

Let’s praise the Lord for He is WORTHY.

Hugs!