God gives us all we need when we seek first His kingdom and righteousness.
Jesus told us not to worry about what we eat or drink, or even the clothes we wear. God’s provision is available.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:31-34
He feeds the birds of the air. He clothes the lilies. How much more will He take care of His own?
That’s not to say that we do nothing and it will simply arrive. He will guide us into ways that cause the provision. He gives power to get wealth.
And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:18
He empowers us, energises us, and leads us through our own endeavours and abilities to prosper.
Supernatural provision
It’s amazing that, as we work in God’s Vineyard, winning souls and preaching the gospel of Christ, supernatural provision comes.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that we need to apply our gifts and abilities to the provision God sends our way. He doesn’t want us to bury our talent in the ground, but to make it work for us and for the kingdom.
He will set us up with opportunities. We need to know when to act and how to apply ourselves to His directives. Paul also reminded us that we need to work to eat.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
2 Timothy 3:10
He’s not contradicting Jesus. He’s adding to what Jesus is telling us about avoiding worry about what to eat or drink, or how to be clothed.
So Jesus is not saying that we should do nothing about our circumstances, but that we should apply ourselves to the opportunities as they arise.
Paul also tells us that God provides seed for both the sower and the eater.
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11
Here Paul is talking about provision. He’s talking about natural seed and spiritual. Remember that the seed is also the Word, which is how we prepare the ground spiritually, but seed is also material and, if it is wheat or barley, has to be sown for a harvest, or, when it is provided, can be made into flour for bread.
In Philippians He is actually addressing financial contributions to support the Church, especially parts of the Body of Christ that are in need at a particular time, so that those who are doing well should help out with those who are struggling.
God supplies as we apply
God provides seed to us. Some for eating. Some for sowing. This is a kingdom principle. We sow and we reap. We give and we receive.
That seed comes as much from our endeavour as it does from God’s provision. He supplies as we apply. He empowers us to be able to make a living. He sets up opportunities for blessing.
There are times also when people will give to us and we will give to others by the leading of the Spirit. However it comes or goes it is by the provision of God.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38
We sow we reap, we work we prosper, we give we receive.
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
This is the way God blesses us.
