Ministry Resources

Kingdom Provision

Kingdom Provision

When a person becomes a citizen of God’s Kingdom, there are many things that change. There are issues like attitudes, beliefs, and practices that may also need to be changed. The Bible tells us that God’s ways are not our ways and that God’s ways are higher, better, than ours. The Christians at Rome were instructed by the Apostle Paul to not be conformed to the world around them but to renew their minds to understand the will of God.

Romans 12:2 New King James Version (NKJV)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

It really doesn’t matter where we got our ideas and beliefs. Grandma’s ideas, or Aunt Bessie’s, or even our favorite preacher’s ideas may not be what God had written in the Bible. All that matters is our commitment to become all that God intended for us to be in His Kingdom. Thus, we must measure everything we believe by the Word of God.

To understand God’s desires concerning provision for His Kingdom citizens, we consider what He said in the Bible, and we consider His actions through the ages with His citizens, His sons and daughters. God’s words and his interactions with men and women as recorded by inspired writers of the scriptures through the ages are to form our beliefs and dictate our actions.

Provision in the Garden of Eden

In the account of creation given in Genesis, we see God creating a magnificent world. The Garden of Eden was a place of perfect provision for

his man, Adam, and his wife, Eve. God created fish, fowl, cattle, and gave man dominion over all of creation. He gave them every herb bearing seed and every tree with seed that would bring forth fruit for them to eat.

Genesis 2:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

From the scriptures, we see that God’s provision was perfect for mankind. Gold, bellium, and onyx were also in God’s creation as mentioned in Genesis 2:11-12. The Bible states that the gold was good.

It seems logical to conclude that God wanted mankind to have a life blessed with every good provision imaginable. Not only was the provision outstanding, God wanted man to increase what had been given to him.

Genesis 1:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that [a]moves on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)

And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

Man had all the resources needed to fulfill his purpose to be fruitful and multiply and exercise dominion over God’s creation. Purpose and provision were a part of the relationship God provided for Adam and Eve. Obedience was their part of living in God’s creation.

God’s Provision for Noah

During a time of great rebellion and sin on the earth, God chose Noah, a righteous man, to preserve mankind and the animal kingdom. The ark Noah was instructed to build provided safety and provision for him, his family, and the living creatures

When the flood ended, God gave Noah instructions that would result in the earth being repopulated.

Genesis 8:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

“Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”

After Noah came from the ark, he built an alter and offered burnt offerings to God. This pleased God and He promised to never again curse the ground or “smite any more everything living, as I have done.” His promise of seedtime and harvest was given. This was a commitment to providing for the livelihood of mankind.

Genesis 8:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”

This promise of seedtime and harvest is of importance to the continuation of our food supply and the livelihood of those in the agriculture industry, farmers and ranchers, but it is also a spiritual principle. Sowing and reaping are principles expressed in the parable of the sower and in Paul’s instructions in II Corinthians 9. These scriptures will be discussed later in this writing.

Provision for Abram

Abram was chosen by God to become the father of a new nation of people, the Israelites. God made profound promises to Abram that demonstrated His desire to bless not only Abram but all families of the earth.

Genesis 12:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 13:2 New King James Version (NKJV)

Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

God kept these promises in many ways. Although Abram and Sarai, his wife, were childless, God performed a miracle for them to fulfill his promise. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, a father of many nations and God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah. Isaac was born to Sarah when she was 90 and Abraham was 100 years old.

Isaac was a cherished son to Abraham, so it was a dramatic test of his faith in God when he was instructed to make a burnt sacrifice of Isaac to God. Abraham made all the preparations for this task and had Isaac tied to the wood on the altar when an angel of the Lord stopped him.

Genesis 22:11-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”

So he said, “Here I am.”

And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, [a]The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”

The King James Version states “Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-Jireh”. It is of comfort and encouragement to realize that one of the names of our God is “The Lord Will Provide”. Jehovah-Jireh.

Abraham was true to God and believed the promises made to him and Sarah. It was this obedience that pleased God. In contrast, Adam and the

people who lived after him and those who lived after the great flood were not faithful to God. Abraham’s steadfast belief in God and His promises were counted to him for righteousness, right standing with God.

Genesis 15:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Abraham was prospered and protected throughout his life. It is recorded in Genesis 24 that the “Lord had blessed Abraham in all things”. The blessing on his life was also evident in Isaac’s life.

During a time of famine, God instructed Isaac to live in Gerar, and he made promises to him that were like the promises made to his father, Abraham.

Genesis 26:3-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Genesis 26:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him.

The generations from Abraham to Jesus are recorded in the first chapter of the book written by Matthew. King David was a descendant of Abraham, and Jesus blessed all of mankind by being our sacrifice for sin. Truly, through Abraham all families of the earth are blessed.

Provision in the Old Testament Covenant

God remembered his promise to Abraham and his descendants and made it a part of the covenant with the Israelite nation. Moses received the ten commandments and is generally considered to be the writer of the first five books of the Bible. It is in these scriptures that the covenant with the Jewish nation, the Israelites, is recorded.

Examination of these scriptures shows a reoccurring pattern of God’s thinking from the time of Adam to the giving of the ten commandments and covenant with Israel. God wanted a people who would love and obey Him, and He would be their god, protecting them and providing for them.

Deuteronomy 6:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

Therefore hear, O Israel, and [a]be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’

Deuteronomy 7:12-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

Blessings of Obedience

“Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. And He will love you and bless you and [a]multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He [b]swore to your fathers to give you.

Deuteronomy 8:18 New King James Version (NKJV)

“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may [a]establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)

Blessings on Obedience

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:

The following 14 verses state all the ways the Lord will bless those who obey His laws. This pattern of obedience being connected to blessings and

provision is demonstrated from Adam to Moses and throughout the Old Testament.

These scripture from Deuteronomy have been the basis of much of my prayer for our company, Dust Free, Inc, and our cattle business on the ranch. For years, I would pray the commanded blessings from Deuteronomy 28 as I drove to work at Dust Free. Gil and I generally pray these scriptures before cattle sales. Through the years we have seen God fulfill the promise to “make us the head and not the tail” in our business endeavors. It is by His grace and promises that we have been able to prosper despite our lack of understanding of the businesses in which we have been involved.

Provision in the Book of Psalms

There are numerous teachings in Psalms about God’s provision. It is a great study to read and meditate on the Psalms. Frequently, living according to God’s ways, being obedient to His laws, and provision are closely connected

Psalms 1:1-6

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he [b]meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the [c]rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 5:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Many times, I have claimed this promise of favor. This blessing of God is invaluable not only in business dealings but also in personal relationships.

Psalm 23:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

The LORD the Shepherd of His People A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not [a]want.

This entire psalm speaks of the multiple ways God, our shepherd, protects and provides good things for us, His sheep. It is not surprising that this is the most popular scripture in the entire Bible.

On a personal note, I frequently read this psalm when I am praying, “Hallowed be your name” and declare, “You are my Jehovah – Rohe, my good shepherd”.

Psalm 27:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

This Psalm is especially precious to me as I read it one day when the message was a profound comfort to me. It is so important to believe that as a believer I will see God’s goodness in my present life and time. I know being in heaven will be an amazing experience but knowing God’s goodness will be manifest in my life here on earth gives me hope and courage.

Psalm 34:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no [a]want to those who fear Him.

Psalm 35:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually,

“Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

It is a blessing to remember where I was when I was taught about Psalm 35:27. I was attending a Cowboy Camp Meeting in Caddo Mills, TX many years ago. It was a very cold, rainy night but the message we heard in that tent meeting warmed my heart and has been a scriptural treasure all these years.

Psalm 122:6-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you [holy city]. 7 “May peace be within your walls And prosperity within your palaces.”

After reading this psalm, I began praying for peace in Jerusalem. Also, I had a desire to contribute in some way to Israel and its people. There were several ministries that had solicited our support. However, when we met Pastors Linda and Paul Cahill, they told us about Maoz Israel and their provision of an all Hebrew, Christian website in Israel. I knew that was where we were to sow seed for the peace of Jerusalem. I told Gil I had been looking for a way to invest in Israel and suggested we contribute to Maoz Israel. He agreed and coined the phrase, “Be a Kingdom investor!”

As a personal testimony of the promised prosperity of this verse, I will share that after we made our first contribution to Maoz Israel, we received a very large payment of drought relief money from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Psalm 118:25 Amplified Bible (AMP)

O LORD, save now, we beseech You; O LORD, we beseech You, send now prosperity and give us success!

Several years ago, during a difficult time for our company, Dust Free, Inc, Holy Spirit instructed me to pray the entire 118th psalm every day for a year.

The problems were finally resolved, and I was released from praying this psalm.

Provision of Joshua

The life of Joshua has been especially meaningful to us and the instruction he received from God has been a foundation of our beliefs and practices. Study of the scriptures, meditation on God’s Word, obedience, and declaring the promises have all become a part of our lives as believers.

Joshua 1:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be [a]successful.

Provision in Proverbs

Two of my favorite scriptures from Proverbs helped me to understand God’s desire to bless His children in ways that will not be harmful to them. Also, the purpose of abundance is to help those in need. This use of resources pleases God and He, in turn, blesses the one who gives.

Proverbs 10:22 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The blessing of the LORD brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].

Proverbs 19:17 Amplified Bible (AMP)

He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the LORD, And the LORD will repay him for his good deed.

Provision in Isaiah

Isaiah 48:17 Amplified Bible (AMP)

This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says, “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit (benefit), Who leads you in the way that you should go.

When you know God is involved in your business, guiding you in decisions, you can also rest in the fact that He will guide you in how to handle the increase that comes to you. Making money is only part of the journey. What you do with it to fulfill a Kingdom purpose such as the Great Commission, is an important part of being in the will of God.

Provision in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 29:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The words of this prophet would be comforting and encouraging in any circumstance. At the time this prophecy was given to Jeremiah to deliver to the Jews they were in captivity in Babylon. Despite their rebellion and long years in captivity, the Lord was assuring them that they were not forgotten and that his thoughts about them were good and not evil, peaceful, and hopeful.

The loving, merciful nature of God is shown in this message. It is one of my favorite promises that has given me hope in many difficult circumstances.

Provision in Malachi

We firmly believe that the observance of giving a tithe of our income has been and continues to be a pillar of our success. When we were very ill, and Gil had gone from half pay to fourth pay and then to medical disability, we did not fail to write a tithe check before anything else was paid. We have claimed and declared the promises of Malachi 3:10-12 for over 35 years. This is not a ritual with us, it is a way we show God we believe Him, we trust Him, and we expect His promises to be true.

Malachi 3:10-12 Amplified Bible (AMP) 10 Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the [a]storehouse, so that there may be [b]food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it.11 Then I will rebuke the [c] devourer (insects, plague) for your sake and he will not destroy the

fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in the field drop its grapes [before harvest],” says the LORD of hosts. 12 “All nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight,” says the LORD of hosts.

Provision in the New Testament, New Covenant

There are numerous mentions and instructions about finances in the books of the New Testament. Jesus spoke about how to give your alms, charitable gifts given to the poor or deeds done for the poor, in Matthew 6:1-4. These acts of charity were to be done privately, even to not letting your right hand know what your left hand is doing.

Matthew 6:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)

so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

After teaching the people in the famous Sermon on the Mount about their concern for their need for food, drink, and clothing, Jesus tells them how to be assured that all of these things will be provided for them.

Matthew 6:33-34 Amplified Bible (AMP)

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

These words are not unlike those of Deuteronomy 28, when God said if you will listen to me and obey me, these blessings will come on you and overtake you.

Luke records Jesus’ words about what will happen when you give to someone.

Luke 6:38 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use[when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”

It has been said that “you can’t out give God”. This is a Kingdom principle. What comes back to you after you have given to another, will be far greater than the gift you gave.

This concept of multiplication is taught in the parable of the sower, Mark 4. The sower sows the word and in good ground, in hearts that hear the word, receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Provision through Jesus

It is encouraging to know that we serve a God, who loves us so much that he provided a way for all of us to be reconciled to him through the sacrifice of Jesus.

John 3:16-17 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He[even] gave His [One and] [a]only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.

Then Jesus expressed his desire for us in John 10:10.

John 10:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

John 10:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

What an awesome King we have!! Most earthly kings want all the good of the land for themselves. Our King wants us, the citizens, sons and daughters of His Kingdom to be blessed in abundance.

When we repent of our sins, and are baptized into Christ, we are promised the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38-39 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

The Apostle Paul taught the Galatians about the promise of the Holy Spirit, as well.

Galatians 3:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS [crucified] ON A TREE (cross)”—  in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.

Having the Holy Spirit of God living on the inside of us, is by far the greatest blessing anyone could ever imagine. Books have been written about the things Holy Spirit does for us. He is always with us, helping us to live according to God’s commands, teaching us, and empowering us to fulfill the purpose God has for our lives. This is perfect provision if we will listen and obey. John 14:16 [Full Chapter]

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

John 14:26 New King James Version (NKJV)

But the [a]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Acts 1:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Principle of Sowing and Reaping

We saw in Genesis 8 when God declared to Noah that seedtime and harvest would forever remain in the earth. The Apostle Paul included this principle in his writings to early Christians in Corinthians and Galatians.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Cheerful Giver

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [a]bountifully will also reap [b]bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of [c]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

In the spirit realm, we determine our harvest by what we have sown. Much like in nature, if you sow a small amount of seeds, you will have a small harvest of produce. Sowing a large amount of seeds, will produce a larger harvest.

The importance of sowing with gladness is expressed in this scripture. This is easy to understand. We would all rather receive a gift from another person because they loved us and not because they had to give us something. The reward for giving in a way that pleases God is that He will make His unmerited favor manifest in our lives, so we will have enough for our needs and will have an abundance to give to others.

God’s work on our behalf is further explained in verses 10-11.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 New King James Version (NKJV) 10

Now [a]may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [b]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit].

The Amplified version of this scripture provides added meaning and encouragement. Supply, multiplication, increase, enrichment, generosity, and thanksgiving to God all flow from God to us through our giving.

Galatians 6:7-10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

This scripture makes it clear that “sowing” does not just refer to money or goods that we might give to another, but we, also, are to be mindful of what we “sow” in the spirit realm. We will reap good things in our lives, love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit if we have sown those things into the lives of others. God can’t be fooled.

Provision in Philippians

One of the most frequently quoted scriptures about provision is Philippians 4:19.

Philippians 4:19 New King James Version (NKJV)

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It is important to read the verses before this profound promise because they tell us the history of these Philippian believers. They have contributed to Paul’s needs for many years, even when others did not help him.

Philippians 4:14-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I [a]have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

When we realize the relationship these believers had with Paul and the many times they had helped him, we see the promise of sowing and reaping being confirmed. They had sown into his life time and time again. Thus, he could confidently promise them that God would supply all their needs.

A Prayer for Provision

In John’s letter to his dear friend, Gaius, he expresses his desire for a manifestation of prosperity and good health in his life. Some believe this is just a common greeting among friends. However, John’s letter is very serious, dealing with various situations among the believers. The Amplified Version shows a definite prayer and desire for blessings to come to Gaius.

3 John 2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

2 Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].

Our soul consists of our mind, our will, and our emotions. For these elements of our being to prosper, we must have a mind that is renewed to the Word and will of God. We are to bring every thought captive to the knowledge of God. We must submit our will to God’s will making our words and actions pleasing to Him. To prosper in the emotional area requires guarding our feelings, to not be offended, to be angry and yet sin not, to resist fear, doubt, unbelief, jealousy, envy, and bitterness. This is a lifelong process of submitting to the promptings of Holy Spirit and obeying the Word of God.

Summary

From the Garden of Eden to New Testament times, scripture provides evidence of the nature and desire of God to be a benevolent king in His Kingdom on earth. He desires to have a loving relationship with man in which He is willing to make all needed provision available to us. He does ask that we return His love and honor Him with our lives. As the scripture says, He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness.

2 Peter 1:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.

Written by Gil and Jane Burnett

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