august
18, 2003
i often hear testimonies about how God provided
money, a car, food, or even a house when a believer was in great
need. i'm told how this proves that God really does provide
all we need. but then, what if a believer did not receive the
needed money, clothing, etc. when it was needed? does this prove
that God really does not provide all we need? how do we respond
to the existence of millions of Christians abroad who are starving,
being tortured, and dying. has God provided all they really
need?
Does God Really
Supply All We Need?
excerpt from John Piper's "Don't Waste
Your Life"
Are Christians subject to "famine and
nakedness" or will God provide "all these things"
when we need them? Will Christians never hunger or starve
or be ill-clothed? Have not some of the greatest saints in
the world been stripped and starved? What about Hebrews 11:37-38?
"They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed
with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats,
destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not
worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in
dens and caves of the earth." The losses and miseries
of these believers was not owing to their unbelief. They were
faithful - people "of whom the world was not worthy."
What then does Jesus mean, "All these
things - all your food and clothing - will be added to you
when you seek the kingdom of God first"? he means the
same thing he meant when he said, "Some of you they will
put to death…But not a hair of your head will perish"
(Luke 21:16-18). He meant that you will have everything you
need to do his will and be eternally and supremely happy in
him.
How much food and clothing are necessary?
Necessary for what? we must ask. Necessary to be comfortable?
No, Jesus did not promise comfort. Necessary to avoid shame?
No, Jesus called us to bear shame for his name with joy. Necessary
to stay alive? No, he did not promise to spare us death -
of any kind. Persecution and plague consume the saints. Christians
die on the scaffold, and Christians die of disease. That's
why Paul wrote, "We ourselves, who have the firstfruits
of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption
as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23).
What Jesus meant was that our Father in heaven
would never let us be tested beyond what we are able (1 Corinthians
10:13). If there is one scrap of bread that you need, as God's
child, in order to keep your faith in the dungeon of starvation,
you will have it. God does not promise enough food for comfort
or life - he promises enough so that you can trust him and
do his will.
editor's note: our trust is in that we will
be provided with all things needed to live out the designed
purpose of our existence. though it may be slightly discouraging
to understand that all our physical needs may not be taken care
of, we must understand that they are insiginificant compared
to our spiritual needs. |
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