The disciples are to give the crowd food.

The crowd should be sent elsewhere to solve the problem.

The disciples should wait until later before acting.

Take responsibility and help meet the need with what is available.

Explain why the need belongs to someone else and step back.

Offer sympathy, but leave practical help to a later time.

Wait until the situation becomes easier before doing anything.

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and cannot meet my deepest need on my own. I turn from my sin and from trusting myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I ask you to come into my life and save me. Be the one who meets what I lack and lead me from this day forward. Amen.

Receive the One Who Meets Our Need

Lord, revive your Church so we do not look at people in need and tell them to go elsewhere. Give us compassion that notices hunger, courage that takes responsibility, and faith that brings what we have to you. Make us practical, generous, and ready to act, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Church to Serve

Father, where needs feel too large and resources feel too small, supply what is lacking. Give wisdom, open hands, and enough to share, and teach us not to turn away from people who need help, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Provide What We Lack

Lord, remember those who do not have enough food, money, or support today. Meet them with mercy, open generous hearts around them, and use your people to share practical help quickly, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For Those Facing Lack

Begin by naming the need plainly before God. Then ask him what practical help he wants you to offer, what you already have in hand, and which next step to take today.

Ask What You Should Give

Bring thanks for Jesus' clear care, for the dignity he gives to people with real needs, and for the way he calls his followers to meet those needs with practical love. Ask for a heart that responds instead of looking away.

Grateful for Compassion That Acts

ὁ{HO###HOH###(the)} δὲ{DE###DEH###But} Ἰησοῦς{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} εἶπεν{EE-pen###EE-pehn###(He) said} αὐτοῖς·{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###to them} Οὐ{OO###OO###not} χρείαν{KHREE-an###KHREE-ahn###need} ἔχουσιν{E-khoo-seen###EH-khoo-seen###they have} ἀπελθεῖν·{a-pel-THEEN###ah-pehl-THEEN###to go away} δότε{DO-te###DOH-teh###give} αὐτοῖς{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###them} ὑμεῖς{hee-MEES###hee-MEES###you} φαγεῖν.{fa-YEEN###fah-YEEN###to eat}

Matthew 14:16 — LiteralTAB

More on this verse