God is a provider. He showed himself as that when he provided for our eternal salvation by providing a ram to Abraham and fulfilling the promise in Jesus, the sacrificial lamb.
He is also a provider for our basic needs. He provided manna and quail, he feed the five thousand, and he invites us to pray for our daily bread. He is Jehovah-Jireh.
There are times when it might seem that he is not honoring his promise. People sometimes fall onto bad times, lose jobs, face disasters, or suffer other catastrophic issues. Among the factors that must be considered when discussing the issue of the “prosperity” of a Christian are these: 1. national resources, 2. individual capabilities and expectations, and 3. spiritual priorities.
Today I will discuss a bit about NATIONAL AND CULTURAL ISSUES:
Jesus would not have taught to pray for daily bread (Matt. 6:11) if He thought there were going to be any exceptions caused by time or place. In the fifth verse of that chapter, he says, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Surely His will in heaven, is for needs to be met!
It is my opinion that the main reason for poverty worldwide is that God has removed his hand of blessing from nations and governments because of past “sins of the fathers.” Even in those circumstances, however, individuals can trust in the promise of Jehovah-jireh to meet their needs, even though at times the supply seems meager. Even in spite of unholy governments, every Christian has a promise for basic necessities. David said, “ …yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Ps. 37:25). Jesus was not referring to only the blessed people when he said, “…(sparrow) one shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31).
If you were born into, or live in, a “poverty” nation, still trust God. He has not lost you. He cares. He fed Elijah by sending ravens with food! Most often he does it now by sending missionaries or Feed the Hungry groups from somewhere. If you do not have a job, hang on to his word that says: “You shall eat from the labor of your own hand.” (Psalm 128:2) And look for work with that promise to hang on to. I will say more about this in my next “Budget” post.
The American Christian should be humbly thankful for a Godly heritage established by men who sought the will of God for a “nation whose God is the Lord; …(Ps. 33:12). The present generation should accept the serious responsibility of obeying God and interceding for continued blessing to America, claiming God’s promise in 2 Chron. 7:14. God will not cease to be Jehovah-jireh!
Sinfulness in political greed and selfishness and all the anti-God choices made by people in ALL nations is contributing to the increasing needs. God indeed has promised His Divine Provisions and I too believe that love of Him first and following Him before all other issues or desires or needs, is vital. Cruelty and rise of terrorism and the loss of innocent lives is directly related to the fall of man and less and less respect for God. Thank you for post which challenges.
Thank you, Faye, for enlarging on my thoughts. I wonder at the length to which God is putting up with our child sacrifice for the sake “sexual freedom,” greed, injustice and rebellion among host of other evil. But I do know there are a lot of people still in America who know God and call upon him.
I agree with Faye. Sometimes evil governments use poverty and starvation as tools against God’s people, as in Ethiopia in the 1980s and the Sudan more recently. God provides daily bread–and often he provides it in abundance to some of his people expecting us to share with our brothers and sisters. The needs of others can call us to faithful service. J.
It is pure evil when the powerful use that power to skim off the top and take for themselves; especially when they are taking it from charity sources (or USA). What an account with which some will face God. We need a lot more preaching/teaching regarding the Judgement Day. Some think getting “the old account settled” will be a piece of cake since we are saved by grace. Do you know that song – The Old Account was Settled Long Ago?” It’s been a long time since I heard that. And you are spot on about God giving in abundance so it can be passed on. No hoarding.