I am a firm believer that we have a reason for everything we do. We don’t always recognize what our reasons are, but we have them. Often, we are motivated by a deep sense of need that we can’t define or describe, but we know it’s there. All human need can be defined at its heart by five universal needs. These are needs that are common to all of us; that get to the marrow of what drives so much of what we think, feel and do. The better we can understand those issues and the passions that lie beneath them, the better we can understand our own motives.
One of those core needs is Provision. Provision asks the question, “Will I have enough?” From the time we are children, we are all aware of the fact that life in this fallen world isn’t always fair. Some of us are born into wealth and privilege; others of us into poverty and squalor. Some of us are smart, strong and beautiful and others among us are not. Inequity is one of the first disappointments in life.
Inequity causes fear; specifically, the fear of scarcity. Either because we start with little and and fear being forever defined by poverty or because we start with much and fear losing our privilege. Either way, we fear scarcity and wonder, “Will I have enough? Will I have what I need to live? Will I have enough to be comfortable? Will I have enough to truly satisfy me?” These fears stoke a competitive fire in all of us.
We learn early to outsmart, outwork and out-hustle enough people around us to get what we want. We think of life as a competition for scarce resources. The idea is that there isn’t enough for all of us, so we need to be sure we get ours first. Often, this need is at odds with our belief in a benevolent and all-powerful God. We intellectually believe that God is there – that He loves us, that He answers our prayers. But emotionally, we struggle to have faith that He will be there for us when we need Him. Can we really count on Him to take care of us? Can we actually rely on Him to provide for us? The notion of order in a world of seeming chaos, of love in a planet defined by self-interest and of trust in a place so fueled with disappointment seems emotionally fragile to us. It seems to good to be true; and we’ve learned that things too good to be true usually are.
We usually try to solve this dilemma by living a duality. We profess our belief in God and allow part of our heart to trust Him but still pursue our life as if He isn’t there – just to be sure we have enough by our own hand. I think this is the reason the vast majority of Christians don’t tithe (give the first 10% of their earnings to God). It isn’t out of a sense of greed, but out of a fear of scarcity. We think, “If I give 10% of my money to God, I won’t have enough left to get all I want.” This why the decision to tithe is so important. Not for the money, rather because it is a tangible act of faith that declares to ourselves that we have to trust God to provide for us. Think about it – God doesn’t need our money – He wants us to have faith in Him, in every area of our lives. He realizes that if we don’t trust Him with what we do see, including our finances, how will we ever trust Him for things we can’t see – like eternal life? That is why the words of Jesus are so impacting – because He speaks to the center of our need:
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
God knows we are anxious, even frightened, about the potential of scarcity. Will we have enough? Enough clothes, enough food – enough of everything we need and want? Yet, He reminds us that this is how people who don’t believe in God behave. He corrects us without shaming us. He helps us to realize that people who truly put their faith in a real God have no need to fear scarcity. He reminds us that our job is to fully give ourselves to God. To no longer live for ourselves, but to live for Him (seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness). When we do that, we will not only receive what we seek but also everything we need to live for Him on earth.
This is so simple. There really is a God, He wants us to faithfully serve Him with our lives. When we do, He will take care of us because He knows what we need and He loves us. Yet, at the same time, it is so hard to overcome our doubt. What if God is not real? What if God doesn’t come through? What if God gives me less than I would give myself? Maybe this is why God chose faith as the prime test for humanity – because it’s the best indicator of where our heart really is. It is easy to intellectually believe in God – even the devil does that (James 2.19), but it is far harder to have true faith – to place our lives in God’s hands and rely on Him to overcome our present crisis of scarcity and our future crisis of death. Intellectual belief risks nothing. True Christian faith risks everything.
Here are a few questions I’ve used to really help me process this issue in my own life:
1. What would it look like in your life to trust God to povide for you?
2. What are you willing to risk on God?
3. Are you at a place where you can trust Him to provide for you?
4. Could you be content with whatever God provides?
5. What’s the next step?
Kim posted on October 27, 2009
I was faced with a situation that tested my faith to the extreme. I quit my job because the company was unethical and did not feel comfortable working for such a place. Unfortunately, it was at the same time the economy took a nose dive and I was unemployed for a little over a year. Because I had left the company I was not eligible for unemployment. At the same time my savings was going down at an alarming rate because I had everything tied up in the stock market, futures, and bonds. My house had gone down in value and I couldn’t sell it if I wanted to. I am single and rely completely on my own sources for survival. Well, mine and God’s. I can’t say I wasn’t scared during this time. I was terrified. Yet during this time I grew closer to God. My priorities changed and I found myself yearning more and more to be not only closer to God, but I desired to learn more about Him. It has been amazing. When my focus stays on Him He not only provides for me, but my extended family as well that were and still are facing difficult times. I also try to help others in need whenever I can. Remembering that God will always provide.
During my small group study we studied “The Faith” by Charles Colson and there was some powerful lessons taught and learned. One of the scripture readings was: Acts 4:32-35; Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone in need.
I just loved this scripture. We can’t bring any of our possessions with us when we go to heaven. They are just temporary satisfactions. That is what I try to remember when helping those in need. That and that God will always provide. He does. He really does.