“Let the LORD's people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.” Psm 34:9-10NLT
Are we supposed to be poor, not meeting our bills, lacking necessities? Is it right to believe God to supply needs? Which mindset glorifies the Lord? I can tell you, I was raised in a household with lack and the belief God wants Christians to be poor. This is a false belief.
“A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination” Prov 18:11ESV. We’ve had a pastor who was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth. Another pastor had grown up struggling in a huge family being frugal. Both pastors were/are good men. The one major difference is the silver spoon pastor expects God to supply for everything. He believes whatever needs the church has, should come from our wealthy Father God. Miraculously the money comes in. Meanwhile the poor pastor counts pennies, scrimps, collects pledges, and compiles the money over months to do anything— such as an overhead projector.
Fear of ‘not enough’ as the controlling factor, comes from life experiences. Just as faith for ‘more than enough’ comes from life experiences. Both are expectations. Do either come from abandoned faith and trust? God wants us to come to the point of blind, abandoned faith in Him. Sometimes lack is the platform to propel us into faith and God’s sufficiency.
“And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor He has sent me to procain freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him.” Luke 4:17-20NIV. Why do you think the people’s eyes were “fastened on” Jesus? Rabbi Jesus was of high Rabbinical authority, rightfully Pharisee. By sitting down in the seat of authority held for the Messiah, Jesus indicated the scripture were fulfilled in Him. Their gaze was one of expectation mingles with amazement.
Later, upon the cross, Jesus cried out, “IT IS FINISHED” Jn 19:30NKV. What was finished? Jesus suffered one of the most degrading, brutal deaths in world history. In His death, Jesus fulfilled every promise God made to His family of Israel and Christianity. We don’t have to be sick, poor, imprisoned, oppressed or anything else satan want’s to put on us, anymore. God can legally provide our every need, even Psm 34:10. Christ finished redemption and gave us the right to receive everything.
What? Don’t you believe? Thomas didn’t believe Jesus had arisen. He wanted to put his hand in Jesus’ side. Thomas believed because he 'saw' Christ, the anointed Jesus— Who walked through walls; ate fish with them; forgave their sins; and settled their fears.
What Jesus said to Thomas, after Thomas saw Him, is about you and I. Jn 20:29ESV “…Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” Are you one of the believers? Have you been like Thomas— a doubter? Honoring God by believing holds the greatest reward. Which will it be? It’s your choice. You choose.
PRAYER: Almighty God, thank You for the elaborate plan to acquire everything we need legally through the price paid on the cross by Jesus. Help me. Help these readers to believe and to receive, in Jesus’ name I pray.
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