God Promises to Meet Our Needs Perhaps God’s greatest “financial promise” to believers, is that He will meet our needs, as we put Him first Jesus said: “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 has promised to meet our needs and God does not need the bank, credit cards or a borrowing system, in order to accomplish this. The apostle Paul confirmed this: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:19]
Nowhere in the Bible did God ever direct anyone to borrow money in order for God to meet their needs. Because God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere, when God decides to provide, He does so by using His own resources. King David testified: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Ps 37:25).
1. God’s Ability to meet your needs – Eph. 3:20
2. God’s sufficiency to meet your needs – Phil. 4:19(NCV), Joel 2:26(NIV)
3. God’s commitment to meeting your needs – Joel 2:19, Gen 22:17(MSG)
There are many examples of God’s miraculous provision in the Bible. Here are a few:
1. God provided the Israelites with manna for 40 years in the desert [Exodus 16:35]
2. Jesus fed 4000 families with seven loaves and a few fish [Matthew 5:35-38].
3. God provided for Elijah’s needs via the ravens during a severe drought [1 Kings 17:2-6].
4. Working through Elijah, God provided for the needs of a widow and her son [1 Kings 17:13-16].
5. God provided for the Israelites by making Joseph the Prime Minister of Egypt [Genesis 41:41 & 45:7]
6. On many occasions, Christ met needs by healing the sick [e.g. Matthew 4:24, 8:16]
7. God created oil by filling many jars so a widow could pay her debts (2 Kings 4:1-7)
In light of the above, is it not reasonable to trust God [not a lender], to meet our needs? Of course it is! As a pastor, I have discovered through my interactions and observations that so many of us in the working class group has a lot of debt -in many cases more than they could personally and easily pay back. However, as you start to learn to manage money God’s way, God would bless you for your obedience via “mini miracles” of provision and unique wisdom. Obedience always brings blessing [Deut 28:1-14]. God has promised to meet our needs, but not necessarily our wants and desires. Often, what we believe to be needs are really wants and desires or even things we do not need immediately. And so often, we believe that our needs are not being met when in fact they are. In Matthew 6:31-33
, cited above, Jesus said that needs included food, drink and clothing. Similarly, in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Paul said: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it, but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” In summary, God does not need a lender of any kind, in order to accomplish His Will (Isaiah 46:9-11)
.He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16)
Unfortunately, Christians often borrow money without:
(1) Consulting God [1 Kings 22:5]
(2) Asking God to provide [Matthew 7:7, 8 & John 15:7]
(3) Waiting for His provision [Psalms 37:7]
God admonishes us, not to worry, but rather put Him first and He will meet our needs (Luke 12:27-31)