God’s Provision
“Financial Freedom”
Chapter 2
Receiving God’s Provision
Matt 6:33-34
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
NIV
As I write these words the Gas Station down the road is selling gas for $4.18 a gallon. Turn on the TV or read a paper and the main issue is the economy. Everything we see and hear is telling us that the economy in the United States is very, very bad. It is easy to say don’t worry, but saying it and doing it are two different things. We have all heard someone says, “Don’t worry, God will provide.” What emotions did you have when you read that? Does this mean we don’t have to work at all if God is going to provide?
Prov 6:6-11
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest —11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
NIV
Proverbs seems to be saying that if you don’t work then poverty will be your reward.
1 Tim 5:8
8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
NIV
Work
Deut 8:18
18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
NIV
Why would God command us to work for money, aren’t there more important things we could be doing?
Gen 2:15
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
NIV
God, as Lord of our lives, has provided work which gives us the money we need for daily needs, a means to contribute to our community and also a vehicle for building our skills and self-confidence. As we work and receive money in exchange for our time and contribution, God’s plan also includes giving the first portion to Him, giving to special needs as He leads, and saving for future needs. What makes work hard is sin.
Saving
Although we will be going over saving in a later lesson, it is important to acknowledge our need to save.
It is not unspiritual to save; nor does it represent a lack of faith. This is one principle that God’s people need to learn and practice more. To put money into savings means you have the ability to store money for the purchase of a future need. Too often we use credit-the reverse of savings. When you use credit you but a product, then try to pay the purchase price later: Unfortunately, the price also incurs an interest charge, which makes that payment even more difficult. A far better concept taught in God’s Word is to sacrifice in the short-term to attain long-term goals. It is important to budget some savings. Otherwise, the use of credit becomes a lifelong necessity and debt a way of life. Savings allow you to purchase with cash and shop for the best buys.
Larry Burkett[1]
Begin a saving fund now, no matter how small, no matter how inadequate, a beginning is a beginning! When you choose to save, you are receiving God’s provision. When you have savings, God can use you and what He has provided for you to meet your needs and to bless others.[2]
Prayer
The idea of provision has changed over the years. It once meant enough to get by; today it means wants. When we pray to God asking Him to give us His provision, we must be careful that we are not putting our wants ahead of our needs. When we are trying to understand what our needs are verses our wants, it is important to bath this understanding in prayer; asking God to help us make the right decision.
Phil 4:18-19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
NIV
All of us have much to be thankful for when we consider the number of needs that God meets for us each day through work, savings, and His provision. Be encouraged today!
Luke 11:11-13
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
NIV
[1] Patrick Clements, Financial Freedom: More Than Being Debt Free (Sisters, OR: VMI Publishers, 2003), 35.
[2] Ibid, 36.
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