God Knows Your Need; Don’t Worry, He Is Reliable

God has shown that He is reliable and will give us what we need. But because of His divine wisdom, He gives only what is good for us.

STM Bible Lesson

Lesson focus: 1 Corinthians 1:9. Bible lesson background: TBD.

God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy, and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him, you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:8 (AMP)

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God Already Knows Your Need; Don’t Worry, He Is Reliable

We serve a God that gives us what we need; He is reliable so trust Him. Psalms 84:11c says, in the Easy to Read version, “The Lord freely gives every good thing to those who do what is right“. Jesus assured us that we do not have to worry about basic needs.

The believers in “the early church” followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit and shared what they had. We are also advised to share with less fortunate believers so they do not go without needs. Continue to read this wonderful Bible lesson for more about our reliable God who provides our needs.

Food and Clothing

Therefore I say to you, Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Behold the birds of the air: they do not sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to the span of his life?

Don’t worry about clothes

28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin: 29 And yet I say to you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith?

Or about food

31 Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed? 32 After all these things the Gentiles seek: but your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. 33 But seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow shall be anxious for itself. Sufficient for each day are the troubles of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 (RKJNT)

Matthew 6:33

(AUV): So, you should put the kingdom of God and what He says is right first [in your lives], then all these things [i.e., food, drink, and clothing] will be provided for you.

(AMP): But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Supported by:

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Psalms 34:8-10 (KJV)

For a day in your house is better than a thousand. It is better to be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to be living in the tents of sin. 11 The Lord God is our sun and our strength: the Lord will give grace and glory: he will not keep back any good thing from those whose ways are upright. 12 O Lord of armies, happy is the man whose hope is in you. Psalms 84:10-12 (BBE)

Basic Needs

The basic needs are promised to God’s children, some believe the basic needs include a home or dwelling place. Jesus only mentioned food, drink, and raiment/clothing.

Note: [Reference Matthew 6:25; Luke 12:23 {raiment is from the Greek G1742 ἔνδυμα enduma (en’-doo-mah) n. 1. apparel (especially the outer robe); garment, raiment, cloak, an outer garment} and Matthew 6:31].

Providence defined – Webster’s 1828 – In theology, the care, and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures. He that acknowledges a creation and denies a providence, involves himself in a palpable contradiction; for the same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue its existence. Some persons admit a general providence, but deny a particular providence, not considering that a general providence consists of particulars. A belief in divine providence, is a source of great consolation to good men. By divine providence is often understood God himself.

Be ok with what you have

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and we can carry nothing out. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (RKJNT)

God’s power, wisdom, knowledge, and love all prove a providence. “He that denies providence denies God’s attributes, His omniscience which is the eye of providence, His mercy and justice which are the arms of providence, His power which is its life and motion, His wisdom which is the rudder whereby providence is steered, and holiness the compass and rule of its motion” (Charnock). Fausset’s Bible Dictionary – Proofs of providence (III).

The Moses example

A note to all, but particularly ministers; believe that God is able to give you more than you need. Trust that as you obey and do as He says, He will provide all that you need. As He did with Moses, you will have to tell the people to stop giving because you have more than you need [Exodus 25:1-9 and Exodus 36:1-7].

and said, “Moses, there is already more money than we need for what the Lord has assigned us to do.” 6 So Moses sent word for the people to stop giving, and they did.

You do not have to ask anyone for anything. Trust God—demonstrate your faith—to provide what is needed to fulfill the mission He gave you. Remember, He sent the disciples (Apostles) without food or provisions because He was/is the provider. Trust God for the things you need.

God gives what is needed; He is faithful

You visit the earth, and water it. You greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water. You provide them grain, for so you have ordained it. Psalms 65:9 (WEB).

And he sent down manna like rain for their food, and gave them the grain of heaven. He sent down meat on them like dust, and feathered birds like the sand of the sea, Psalms 78:24, 27 (BBE) [read Psalms 78:17-31].

He provides grass for the cattle, and crops for people to cultivate, so they can produce food from the ground, as well as wine that makes people feel so good, and so they can have oil to make their faces shine, as well as food that sustains people’s lives. Psalms 104:14-15 (NET) [read Psalms 104:1-35].

Our Role

The body of Christ (the born-again believers) has a role to play in God’s plan to provide for each other. The letter to the Corinthians helps us understand God’s plan to provide for us by our working together. In other words, we need each other to survive. In fact, the Bible says, we are many people but one body joined as one in Christ. So, we should help and care for one another. [Read Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (reference verses: 21 and 24-25].

The believers shared

And all the believers [in Jesus] were together and shared everything. 45 They sold their belongings and property and divided [the money] among all [the believers] according to each one’s need. Acts 2:44-45 (AUV)

The whole group of believers was united in their thinking and in what they wanted. None of them said that the things they had were their own. Instead, they shared everything. 33 With great power the apostles were making it known to everyone that the Lord Jesus was raised from death. And God blessed all the believers very much. 34 None of them could say they needed anything. Everyone who owned fields or houses sold them. They brought the money they got 35 and gave it to the apostles. Then everyone was given whatever they needed. Acts 4:32-35 (ERV)

Are you sharing?

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? 18 My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him, 20 because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; 22 and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:17-22 (WEB)

He Is Reliable; Conclusion

You can trust God to do what He says He will do. He said you do not have to worry about what to eat or wear. Know that your heavenly Father cares about you and your needs. No doubt, He said, He will do anything you ask in Jesus name, trust that He will.

For I will proclaim the name of the Lord; you must acknowledge the greatness of our God. 4 As for the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. He is a reliable God who is never unjust, he is fair and upright. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (NET)

Fun fact: Jesus relied on the support of women

Jesus, who could have had the best of everything, set the perfect example and taught His disciples to do as He did. It blew my mind when I realized how much He suffered. How he borrowed a donkey instead of being driven in an elaborate chariot. Most of all, He was a carpenter that did not build a home for Himself. He lived a very humble life.

“Soon after this, Jesus was going through towns and villages, telling the good news about God’s kingdom. His twelve apostles were with him, 2 and so were some women who had been healed of evil spirits and all sorts of diseases. One of the women was Mary Magdalene, who once had seven demons in her. 3 Joanna, Susanna, and many others had also used what they owned to help Jesus and his disciples. Joanna’s husband Chuza was one of Herod’s officials.” Luke 8:1-3 (CEV).

Fascinating

Yes, Jesus relied on the kindness of others to provide for His basic needs. What a fascinating God we serve.

When they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.” Matthew 21:1-3 (WEB)

Are you willing to trust God for your needs?

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (NLT).

Be faithful and continue to trust God because He is reliable my friends. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

Trust God; Build Your Hope And Depend on God – an estimated 17-minute read.

Active Faith Shows That You Trust God By Doing – an estimated 4-minute read.

Believe That the Lord Can Do Whatever You Need – an estimated 4-minute read.

♥ Question for “He Is Reliable”: Are you trusting God for your needs?

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Scriptures to read and study:

Matthew 10:5-15 (focus on verses 9 and 10); 6:25-34 [(focus verses: 25, 31-34); compare Luke 12:22-34 (focus verses: 6 and 29-31)]. Mark 6:7-13 (focus: 8-9); Luke 9:1-6 (focus: 3); 10:1-12 (focus: 4); 22:35-38.

Acts 2:42-47 (focus: 44-45); 4:32-37 (focus: 34-35). Philippians 4:10-20 (focus: 14-18); Hebrews 11:30-40 (focus verses: 39-40). 1 John 3:16-23 (focus verses: 17-18 and 21-22); 1 Timothy 5:3-16 (focus verses: 8-10 and 16).