“I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.” (Revelation 2:8 The Message Bible)
Per the Webster-Miriam dictionary, the word “paucity” refers to “littleness” in numbers (as in “a paucity of facts”) or quantity (“a paucity of common sense”). The word comes from paucus, Latin for “little.”
Let’s deal with “littleness” before you go to church today. A local church may be small, as viewed in terms of size, meaning little in reference to either the physical facility and the capacity to seat people, or in terms of actual membership. They might meet the criteria to be classified by the word “paucity.”
Let me encourage those in small congregations, and even shrinking congregations. Know that God can still take small means and bring about great results. The key is remaining faithful, keeping God’s word, and being steadfast, hanging in there when times get rough, just like what the church in Philadelphia dealt with, as described above in Christ’s letter to the church there.
Need I remind you that Gideon defeated the Midianites whose numbers were as great as the sands on the seashore with 300 men? Or do I have to remind you of how Jesus fed the multitudes, 5,000 plus, with five loaves of bread and two fish? Perhaps I have to refresh your memory about Shamgar who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad and in doing so he saved Israel. Certainly, you remember how Elijah defeated the 450 profits of Baal at Mount Carmel, don’t you? How about one more example, the ultimate example, whereby the gift of grace, through one Man, Jesus Christ, overflows to many?
Paucity, littleness, smallness – don’t let any of that keep you from being faithful. Don’t let that stir up any doubt about what your church can do with the Lord on your side. But also, make sure that you can say, “There is some me, in the small means” at your church. You will marvel at the great things you will be able to do through the provisions, power, and protection that God will give you. Have a wonderful worship service this morning! Keep the faith! Be blessed!
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Make our faith stronger!’ Jesus replied: ‘If you had faith no bigger than a tiny mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree to pull itself up, roots and all, and to plant itself in the ocean. And it would!’” (Luke 17:5-6 Contemporary English Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King