My House Is Your House: Learning to Offer What You Have to God
… choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, ESV).
Shannon sat quietly in her women’s Bible study group, half-listening to the weekly announcements until she heard something that caught her attention.
“We also have a special request,” the leader shared. “As many of you know, Cammie is moving, so we can no longer host the tween girls’ meetings at her house. We’ll need someone else to provide a space for Thursday nights.”
Immediately, Shannon’s heart began to race. She pictured her small living room, cluttered with toys and worn furniture. Cammie had a spacious farmhouse with plenty of room. Shannon’s home, by comparison, felt inadequate.
“My house is teeny, God,” she whispered in prayer. “I’m not sure what good it will do.”
But as she sat there, Shannon remembered the story of the boy who gave his five loaves and two fish to Jesus. It wasn’t much, but in the hands of the Savior, it fed thousands. With trembling hands and a quickened heartbeat, she walked up to the leader after the meeting. “It’s not much, but I’m willing to open my living room once a week.”
That simple step of faith became the beginning of something far greater.
The truth is, discipleship isn’t about abundance, it’s about availability. God delights in using small spaces, small offerings, and small acts of obedience to create big impact. Yet, many of us hesitate because we believe what we have isn’t enough.
When We Feel Like What We Have Isn’t Enough
The problem is clear: too often, we disqualify ourselves from serving God because we think our resources are too small.
- “My house is too small to host a group.”
- “I don’t have enough money to make a difference.”
- “I don’t know enough Scripture to lead a study.”
- “My time is already stretched too thin.”
These thoughts keep us stuck in comparison, looking at what others have instead of offering what’s in our hands.
Why We Struggle to Offer What We Have
- Comparison Steals Our Courage
Like Shannon comparing her home to Cammie’s, we often measure our resources against others. But God never asked us to give what someone else has, only what we have. - We Believe the Lie of “Not Enough”
Scarcity whispers that small equals insignificant. Yet God repeatedly shows in Scripture that He delights in multiplying what seems small. - We Fear Rejection or Judgment
Opening our homes or our lives feels vulnerable. We worry others will notice the imperfections, the mismatched furniture, or the limited space. - We Forget God’s Power
It’s not about the size of what we give, it’s about the God who takes it and uses it for His glory.
How to Offer What You Have to God
So, how can we overcome our hesitations and begin to faithfully use what God has placed in our hands?
Start With a Willing Heart
Like Shannon, begin with prayer: “God, what do You want me to do with what I have?” A willing spirit matters more than a perfect offering.
Reframe Your Perspective
Instead of saying, “It’s not much,” say, “It’s Yours, Lord.” What feels small in your eyes can be multiplied in His.
Take the First Step of Obedience
Don’t wait until everything feels ready or perfect. Open your home, start the conversation, volunteer for the task. Small obedience leads to bigger faith.
Focus on People, Not Perfection
Hospitality and discipleship aren’t about showing off your home, they’re about showing God’s love. People remember kindness and authenticity, not spotless floors.
Trust God With the Outcome
Your responsibility is obedience, not results. Trust that God will use your offering, whether it’s a tiny living room, a brief prayer, or a simple act of service.
The Blessings of Offering What You Have
When you choose to open your hands and give what you have, you’ll discover blessings that go far beyond what you expected:
- Stronger Community: Opening your space creates connections and bonds that strengthen the body of Christ.
- Spiritual Growth: Each step of obedience grows your faith and dependence on God.
- Witness to Others: Your willingness inspires others to offer their “five loaves and two fish.”
- Joy in Service: There is deep fulfillment in knowing you’re being used by God.
- God’s Multiplication: He takes your small act and uses it in ways you could never imagine.
Choosing to Serve with What You Have
Joshua declared boldly, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” That’s the heart behind offering what you have to God, it’s not about the size of the house, but the faith within it.
Maybe you don’t feel like you have much to give. Maybe you’ve been waiting until life feels more polished or your resources feel bigger. But God isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for availability.
Like Shannon, you can step forward and say, “It’s not much, but it’s Yours, Lord.” And when you do, you’ll be amazed at how He multiplies it.
A Prayer for Today
God, thank You for entrusting me with resources, time, and space. Forgive me for the times I’ve held back because I thought it wasn’t enough. Help me offer what I have with open hands, trusting that You will use it for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discipleship isn’t about how much you have, it’s about whether you’re willing to give it to God. What you see as small, He sees as the perfect opportunity to display His power.
