Scarcity Sees Lack, Faith Sees the Lord | Mark 6:35-44

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Bob & Shannon Maxiner from Lake Elmo, MN. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. Your support reminds us that Jesus is always more than enough. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 6:35-44:

And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. — Mark 6:35-44

The sun was setting. The crowd was huge. And the disciples were doing the math. After a few quick calculations, they concluded that there was not enough. Enough time. Enough money. Enough food.

It’s a rational thought about the necessary rations. Five thousand men, not counting women and children. In a remote location.

But Jesus challenges their rational logic with a divine line:

“You give them something to eat.”

And their scarcity mentality kicks in.

“Are we supposed to spend two hundred denarii on bread?”
“We only have five loaves and two fish.”

The disciples only perceived natural impossibilities.
Jesus perceived spiritual possibilities.

Scarcity sees lack—but faith sees the Lord.

Jesus tells them to organize the crowd. He blesses the bread. He breaks the fish. What wasn’t enough in their hands becomes more than enough in his.

“And they all ate and were satisfied.”

Every need was met. No one went hungry. It cost nothing. They traveled nowhere. And there were twelve baskets of leftovers. This is what happens when we surrender scarcity to the Savior. Too many believers live day-by-day with a scarcity mentality.

Not enough time.
Not enough talent.
Not enough experience.
Not enough influence.
Not enough faith.

And so we play it safe. We hold back. We tell Jesus to “send them/it away.” However, Jesus never operates from a place of scarcity or lack. He’s not concerned about how much you have—he's asking if you’ll have faith, bring what you have, and give it to him. Because what feels insufficient to us becomes sufficient in Jesus's hands.

So stop living with a scarcity mentality. Live by faith. Bring what you have. Let Jesus multiply and make it more than enough.

ASK THIS:

1. Why do you think the disciples focused on what they didn’t have?
2. What does this story teach us about God's provision?
3. Where are you tempted to say, “It’s not enough”?
4. What would it look like to trust Jesus with that area today?

DO THIS:

Identify one area where you’ve been operating from a scarcity mindset. Write it down, bring it to Jesus in prayer, and trust Him to do more than you can see.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I confess I’ve been focused on what I lack. Today I choose to bring what I have to you. Help me trust that your hands are better than mine. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"More Than Able" by Elevation Worship