God Doesn’t Need Much, Only You
📖 Judges 3:31 (KJV) And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
✅ Introduction
📌 When we look at how God used man, he didn't really use a group, all God really needed was a man, and on top of that, the man didn't need much, God would use what is available.
Sometimes we think we need things before serving God but all you need is first faith.
📖 Matthew 17:20 (KJV) And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Shamgar is only mentioned in one verse, yet God used him to deliver Israel.
He didn’t have an army, a sword, or a title only an oxgoad (a farmer’s tool).
Lesson: God doesn’t need much, He just needs you.
Application: You may feel ordinary, unqualified, or unequipped, but if you yield to God, He can do great things.
✅ 1. God Uses Ordinary People
📖 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (KJV) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Over the years of ministry I’ve noticed God uses those that are willing, like myself I never thought much of myself because I was a great sinner before salvation and I was poor boy from a small neighbor hood, but I remember having a passion to serve christ and a lot of things fell into place, I never doubted God, and I always asked him to give me the strength to overcome my issues, and God answered all my issues, I did not say to myself that I can’t do that or this, rather I trusted God that I can do all things through Christ, and its the attitude that helps your faith. We should never think we aren’t good enough, in fact God doesn’t like that attitude.
📖 Exodus 4:10-12 (KJV) And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Once Moses was obedient God blessed him in his speech, because later in the passage Moses is speaking like he is a natural.
📖 Amos 7:14-15 (KJV) Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: 15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
What we notice is that God likes to use the doers, hard labouring men, it's not about the accolades or the fame or the eloquent speakers, it's about those who have the will power to do it. As we see with the next passage....
📖 1 Samuel 16:11 (KJV) And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
David was found keeping the sheep, overlooked even by his father, yet chosen by God.
📖 Psalms 78:70-72 (KJV) He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Notice the attributes David had, first he had a heart for the ministry of his people, secondly, he guided them by his hands, David got his hands busy helping the people, he was a doer not only a good ruler, he knew how to fight for his people and lead them, he wasn’t afraid of battles, God saw that he was willing and thats all God needed from man.
✅ 2. God Uses Ordinary Tools
📖 Exodus 4:2-3 (KJV) And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. 3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
Sometimes we think we need to have things before we can start ministry, let me tell you walk by faith, some may think you need a church building before starting? Jesus had church outdoors on the grass!
📖 1 Samuel 17:40 (KJV) And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
David didn’t use the great amour given, neither did he use the great weapons that where available, rather he stuck to what he was used to, killing animals with stones and a sling to protect his flock. Little did David know that God will later use him to lead his people.
Its important to never look at the position we have
📖 Judges 15:15-16 (KJV) And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. 16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
👉 Application: It’s not the size of the tool, but the power of God behind it.
✅ 3. God Gets Extraordinary Glory
📖 Judges 7:2 (KJV) And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
God was showing Gideon that it’s not about how good he is or how strong he is, but rather his willingness to serve and God raised him up, gave him a great life.
📖 2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
All glory should go back to God, if we want God to work great miracles in our lives we need to humble ourselves and give all the glory to God.
📖 Psalms 115:1 (KJV) Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
👉 Application: When God uses little, He gets much glory.
✅ Conclusion
Shamgar had only an oxgoad — but he gave it to God.
David had only a sling, the boy had only a lunch, the widow had only a pot of oil.
The common denominator? They gave what they had to God.
God doesn’t need much — only you.
📖 Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
