Endless Supply

February 6, 2009

Yesterday I read a news story about a 93 year old man who froze to death in his home because he didn’t pay his heating bill of nearly $1000 and the heating company shut off his source of energy. After the man died a hospital received from him $600,000! He had the money why didn’t he use it? How did this needlessly happen?

As I thought about this I realized that this is the way we as followers of Christ live our lives. We fret and stew about small potato stuff not realizing or believing that we have a Father that is of endless supply! In Luke 12:22-34, Jesus tells the people not to worry about the small stuff (my paraphrase) but to seek the kingdom and these things will be given you as well. GOD IS OUR SUPPLY!

I love the next verse (32), “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom…” Going on it says to sell your possessions and give to the poor. If we see a need in our brothers and sisters give to that need. This is how the kingdom operated at that time.

How can we see the members of the body in need and not help them if it is within our power to do so? How can we send them away and say be warm and fed when they have nothing? (James 2:16) Or better yet should we say we won’t help a person because they haven’t got a job?

In the original church, Acts 2:45 says, “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” Is this is how Jesus intends for the kingdom to work? Again in Act 4:32-34 it says, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. From time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

What a radical thought. It is amazing to me that they sold the things they had for the shear purpose of supplying for another believer, the funds were given to those who had need in the body IF there was a need!

Radical! But look at what unity came from this type of behavior and most importantly it says “With GREAT POWER the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” Isn’t this the focus and goal of the believer’s life?

God tells us not to worry about the small stuff of everyday life but to focus on the kingdom seeking it with our whole heart and I don’t know about you but this is really challenging me to do some things different with the money and possessions I’ve been given. People... in these dark days we have got to have the gospel in our mouths and be able to proclaim it with GREAT POWER! GOD IS OUR SUPPLY!

Father, show us, lead us; forgive me for fretting the small stuff. Teach us how your kingdom operates and speak through your church with GREAT POWER the testimonies you have put within us! AMEN!

I challenge you to take these scriptures and find others…pray and seek the kingdom…see what God has to say to you individually and be obedient to what he is telling you to do.