p. 5 | THE GREAT PROVIDER by Alexander McLaren

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 30, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 13.

THE GREAT PROVIDER.

By Alexander McLaren

[Alexander McLaren, in S. S. Times.]

THE precise miraculous act [of multiplying the loaves] is wrapped in darkness, as all creative acts are; but the lesson stands plain, that Christ has inexhaustible supplies for a hungry world. “He opens His hand, and satisfies the desire of every living” man that brings his hunger to Him. The last row of the five thousand fed as full as the first. The fountain is as brimming over, after millions have drunk from it, as if we were the first that ever plunged thirsty lips into its sparkling basin.

Nor is that bread of God merely sufficient for present needs. The broken pieces that remained were far more than the original store. The boy’s provisions would have filled but a corner of one of the twelve baskets that bulged with the remnants. If we will faithfully impart Christ to men, we shall enrich, not impoverish, ourselves. The more we give of Him, the more we have. “There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more.” This gift does not “perish with the using,” but grows as it is eaten for ourselves, and as it is carried to other hungry lips.