I think Jesus may have hacked into our bank account. Somehow, he always seems to know when my wife and I are low on cash.
Now that I am a seminary student, our cash supply is often limited, and at times, nearly nonexistent. But when we reach the bottom of the barrel, we are always provided for. This has happened over and over again. God knows all along what we need, and He is always there to help.
TV and prosperity preachers give such a bad rap to the ideas of blessing and prosperity. In the guise of fancy suits and gold rings, they spout heresy. God never, never promises us a new car or a new house. Instead, God promises that Christians will face difficulty and persecution because of the evil in this world. As Jesus said in John 15:20, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” In other words, life as a Christian is difficult.
However, because extremists twist the Bible for their own purposes, the rest of the Christian faith has shied away from talking about material and physical blessing. I am not speaking about a six figure salary, but when we have six dollars left in the bank, we need to be confident and trust that God will provide. We should not be fearful of believing that. Even when we are to blame for the situation we are in, God delights in rescuing those who repent of their ways and turn to Him for help.
No matter what day it is, God is faithful. Not only has God promised never to flood the earth again, but He takes no delight in flooding our lives with unnecessary strife. So we can truly pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” and be assured that God will provide everything that we need to get through the day.
While the bare minimum not seem like very much, it has an added blessing in that it reminds us of heaven. We can look forward to when their will no longer be tears, fear, or the pain of hunger. Luke reminds us of Jesus’ concern for the poor and needy, as he records the words of Jesus in Luke 6:20-23:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you, exclude you, mock you, and curse you because of the Son of Man.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold,
great is your reward in heaven…”