“Son, tell me how you plan to pay for the things you will need in life.”
“That’s easy, Dad! I’ll just drive up to that machine like you do and get whatever I want!”
I have to keep in mind… this is the same kid who, at age 5, came up with a “get rich quick” scheme premised on yanking out all his teeth to make a killing from the Tooth Fairy. Clearly, I’ve failed as a father…
But I don’t understand the economy either, and I often wonder if anyone really does. Experts consistently forecast impending economic collapse and a meltdown of social order – chaotic conditions not unlike those the Bible prophesies will arise in the end times.
For Christians, it’s certainly sobering to witness the stage being set for such disaster, yet God has placed us here for such a time as this. He graciously provides His counsel and wisdom to see us through whatever challenges the world presents.
I want to specifically address our God-ordained responsibilities to provide for the needs of our families and others, whether times are good or catastrophic, and highlight pertinent instruction from God’s word. So, what should Christians do?
- Do not worry!
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:6-7, NLT
- Recognize God already knows your needs. Nothing takes Him by surprise!
“…your Father knows what you need before you ask him” – Matthew 6:8, NIV
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” – Matthew 6:31-33, NIV
- Trust God to supply your needs! He is our Provider – Jehovah Jireh!
“Give us this day our daily bread” – Matthew 6:11, KJV
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:19, NIV
“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread” – Psalm 37:25, NLT
- Be generous with what God has entrusted to you, especially toward the family of God!
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” – 1 John 3:17-18, ESV
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?” – James 2:15-16, BSB
- Take care of your family!
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” – 1 Tim. 5:8, NIV
A key question is how, and to what extent should Christians prepare to be providers? The answer probably lies somewhere in between “doing nothing” [and] “doing everything”. In other words, do we opt to make no preparations? [or] Do we go all out, transforming into reclusive preppers — stockpiling food, firearms, maps, batteries, matches, water purifiers, and firewood, and relocate our families to a cave somewhere in Bigfoot country?
Yes, it’s a tough question, but be assured we Christians are not left helpless. I believe we should simply ask God, prayerfully and without presumption, and He will answer us consistent with promises such as these –
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” – James 1:5, NIV
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” – Romans 8:26-27, NIV
– By Gary M. “Mick” Wells
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