Don't Leave The Leftovers - Audio

Greater Life Church

Many people do not like leftovers. However, there are times when we have leftovers out of necessity. We may feel guilty leaving food on the table when we go out to eat. It feels wasteful. Sometimes, we may ask for the uneaten food to be boxed up to take home, only to forget it when we leave the table. The problem is that our bellies are full, and we are so caught up in our conversation that we forget. Our society is so blessed that we throw away almost 40% of the food supply in our market. Some of the food never even makes it to our table because it is misshapen or blemished somehow. There are people around the world who are so hungry that they would do anything to have what we throw away out of our surplus. This same concept applies in the spiritual realm. Some people live in conditions that keep them from openly worshiping, and who would do anything to have the opportunity we have. In times of famine, people will eat whatever they can. It is by God's blessing that we enjoy the bounty and life that we have. The old prayer we recite before meals as children says it is by His hands we are fed. In our plenty, it is all too easy to think that we are providing, but the reality is that ALL blessings and provisions come from God. Even in times of famine, God provides. When Joseph was in Egypt, there was a famine all across the land, but God provided bread in Egypt. Jesus fed the masses with loaves and fishes. He then instructed the disciples to gather the remnants. No matter how little we have, God can take what we have and do something with it. We may be satisfied, but someone needs what we have left. Even a crumb can be sufficient. In our text, the woman comes to Jesus and cries out. Jesus ignores her, and the disciples ask Jesus to send her away. In her desperation, this woman realizes that her crying may make her feel better in the moment, but she needs more; her daughter is still vexed. She moves past crying and begins to worship Him. Jesus told her that because she was a Canaanite woman, it was not proper for him to help her. He refers to her as a dog. Undeterred, she responds with, yes, but even the dogs get the crumbs from the master's table. Jesus tells her, "Great is your faith," and heals her daughter. We need whatever we can get from God. We must position ourselves where we can get something from God.