God Will Provide I have been sitting here thinking (meditating) on todays suggested prayer about Gods faithful provision and decided to share my thoughts with you. 1) It is a mistake to make giving a means to an end rather than an act of worship. The Bible does not teach us to give in order to get but as an act of obedience. 2) It is a mistake to teach people to be need centered in their giving rather than God centered. While we should be sensitive to the need our giving should be prompted by the Spirit not simply by a perceived need. Spirit directed giving will minimize our vulnerability to manipulation. 3) It is a mistake to make prosperity a goal. The Bible clearly teaches that prosperity is a consequence and not a goal. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt. 6:33). 4) It is a mistake to teach Gods people to believe for material things or to concern themselves about them. Jesus said, Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear...For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (Matt. 6:25, 32). Please note two things. First, Jesus said it was the pagans who run after material things. In other words it is pagans who are concerned about material things, not Christians. If we are striving (that is using our faith to believe for) material things what does that say about us? Secondly, Jesus says that our heavenly Father knows that we need material things in order to survive so we dont need to concern ourselves about them. Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! (Luke 12:27-28). The reason the Bible is filled with so many verses about divine provision is not to make us materialistic but to assure us of the Fathers unwavering concern. He has repeatedly promised to take care of us so we dont need to concern ourselves about such things. We can focus our faith and our prayers on more important matters. The apostle Paul writes, People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction...Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:9-11).
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:06:41 +0000
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