I hope this post does not ruin a favorite Jesus story for anyone, but instead broadens the miraculous possibilities. I was reading the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 in Mark 6:35-44, and when I finished, the folk tale Stone Soup came to mind.

The tale of Stone Souptakes place in a in a village where there is a food shortage. A stranger comes to town begging for food, but everyone says that they have none. The stranger is not discouraged. He goes to the village square, boils a large pot of water, and drops in his “magic soup stone,” which can make unlimited soup. He talks on and on about how fantastic his stone soup tastes; the villagers are intrigued. “All my stone soup needs to finish it off is an onion. I would share my soup with anyone who would add an onion to my soup.” Well, of course someone has an onion they have been hoarding, and is willing to add it to the soup in order to get some. The stranger continues to ask for “just one more ingredient,” potatoes, tomatoes, salt, and the rest. Soon everyone in the village has added something, and they all have a large pot of stew to share.

I am not opposed to the idea that God multiplied the food in order to feed the 5000. We read of God multiplying food in 1 Kings 17, but let us consider another possibility. 5000 men, plus women and children, traveled to a remote place in order to hear Jesus teach. Nobody thought to bring something to eat? No food vendors thought that it might be a good idea to go out to this large crowd and sell food? No one brought money to buy food? I think it is possible that there was food there, but it was being hoarded and price gouged. The disciples had five loaves and two fish. Jesus gave thanks, and then instead of eating their meager meal, began to share. Jesus sets the example, and a miracle of heart change begins. Others begin to share. Venders lower their prices, and the wealthy buy the lot to share with those around them. In the end, everyone eats until they are satisfied, and there are twelve basketfuls of leftovers. Stone soup!

Perhaps the world does not have a resource problem, we have a hoarding problem.