There are times in the lives of saints and their congregations when the Heavenly Father seeks our undivided attention.  One of the best ways for God to draw our eyes back to Him is to remove from us some of the many false supports (like His material blessings) which we have come to rely upon overmuch … instead of relying more directly on their Maker and our Lord.  That is, some of the very things God gives to elicit our praise can become the idols we praise instead of the Lord.  But God’s beloved children know ~ of a certainty ~ that the Lord provides for all of our real needs.  Yahweh Jaireh (the Lord our Provider) is one of His many names (see Genesis 22).

One reason why it really is so difficult for the materially rich to be in Christ’s Kingdom is because they are greatly tempted to look to stuff instead of to God for the little & big things, for anything.  But how can we have such confidence in the generous God of all providence?  Romans 8:31-32 ~ What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all … how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  God the Father did not withhold His only begotten Son, but gave Him up as a ransom, in order to bring us to Himself.  The Scriptures tell us that we can trust a God like this, this God, for anything and everything that is less than our eternal situation!  Here are a few passages emphasizing this:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. … Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating bread of anxious toil.  For God gives to His beloved sleep. … You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. … Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord … He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. … Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys & where thieves do not break in or steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. … Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or drink, nor for your body as to what you will wear.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? … Do not worry … for the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, but your Father in Heaven knows you need them.  Seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. … Give us each day our daily bread. …

Ask, and it shall be given to you.  Seek, and you shall find.  Knock, and it shall be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. … If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?! … Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom. … Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. … God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything you may have an abundance for every good deed. … Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say ~ rejoice! … Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. …

Not that I speak from want for I’ve learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means and how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled & going hungry, both of having abundance & suffering need; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. … My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Now to our God & Father be the glory forever & ever. … So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him … because He cares for you.

Psalms 23:1; 127:1-2; Isaiah 26:3-4; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Matthew 6:20-33; Luke 11:3,9-13; 12:32; John 14:27; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:4-20; 1 Peter 5:6-7