As we can see from the verses below, it is God’s desire to see our needs met. One of the names of God is Jehovah-Jireh, which means “The Lord Will Provide”.
Matthew 6:31-32 "So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?’ (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.
Philippians 4:19 And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.
In a similar theme to what I wrote about in my article entitled “Burn Out – The Myth of Philippians 4:13”, God’s provision is dependant on obedience. In this case it is not only dependant on our own personal obedience, but it is also dependant on the obedience of others.
God will provide for all your needs, if you are walking in obedience to His will for your life. God may withhold His provision for your needs if you are not walking in His will for your life. God will also not necessarily provide for all you wants, but there are times that God, like parents, will provide over and above your needs to fulfil some of your wants.
At the same time, God may desire for someone else to provide for your needs. If that is the case then God’s provision is also dependant on the other person’s obedience to His will, as well as your own obedience to see these needs met.
This dependence on other people’s obedience is especially evident to us as volunteer missionaries as we are directly supported and sponsored by individuals, churches and other organisations. If it is God’s will for someone to support or sponsor us, and they do not follow through on God’s will, then we go without because of someone else’s disobedience.
Although we don’t often acknowledge it, people in jobs are also dependent on God in this way. For someone to hire you for the job that God wants you to have, they have to do what God wants of them in the situation. If you are self employed it works the same way, it is up to the potential clients to accept or reject your proposals.
If we continue reading the versus listed above we can read more about what God’s will is, and why and how He desires to provide for us:
Mat 6:33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.
2 Corinthians 9:10-13 And God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity. He will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God for your gifts which they receive from us. For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God’s people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God. And because of the proof which this service of yours brings, many will give glory to God for your loyalty to the gospel of Christ, which you profess, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else.
God’s desire is that we be concerned with The Kingdom of God, not with the things that the pagans and gentiles are concerned with. We need to stay focused on God, and His desire and plan for our lives. While we concern ourselves with the Kingdom of God and what He requires of us, He will provide the means to meet our needs…