Provision
Once again I stand in awe of God’s provision for me and my family. Last night someone asked if we needed a living room set. Little did they know ours is falling apart. We frequently entertain and are in need of a new one, but just don’t have the money for it right now. This family offered to give us one for free!
Time and time again, God is faithful to provide for our needs. Since I entered a relationship with God, I’ve given 10% or more of our income to the church and God’s work locally and globally per the recommendation of the ancient manuscripts. We do so gratefully because our trust for meeting our needs doesn’t come from our job, or investments, or the government, but from God himself. It’s a token gesture of thanks to him. In the ancient manuscripts, God promises to bless those who put their trust in him, and he has never let us down.
A living room set doesn’t sound like much, but it’s only one example in a long list. I mentioned in Crossroads about the time we did our thing and built a house in the country rather than moving to Bethlehem as the signposts were guiding us. When I started to realize we needed to move, I started looking a new job and house in Bethlehem. An amazing job opened up and for reasons too long to mention here, I clearly knew God opened it up for me. The only problem was the salary was over $10,000 less per year than I was currently earning.
We based our budget on my current salary and my wife was pregnant with our third child. How was this going to work? But I knew God’s hand was upon this job, so I took it. It took the next several years for my income to reach the previous level. In that time, on paper, the budget didn’t work. We had more expenses than income, yet we continued to give 10% and not a single bill went unpaid.
We went without some things, but all our basic needs were met. We didn’t tell anyone about our need, yet people would come up and hand us money or checks/cheques, anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars because God told them to do it. Some bills just vanished. Other people, like in the case of the living room set, just gave us things for free.
It was not an easy thing for my pride. I often cried out to God that a better plan is to increase my salary or do this or that. He had his own plan, and it was better than mine, because I learned much through the process.
I can’t tell you how many miracles happened to bring us to Great Britain as missionaries. We didn’t have the money or resources to make such a move. But God miraculously made the way, covered all the costs, got us a house in our budget, and the kids enrolled in good, local schools. It will take a blog all by itself to talk about the amazing things that happened that year.
Other examples – We were coordinating the annual church picnic and one year someone donated a gas BBQ and said we could keep it after the event. In February this year, we moved down the road to a bigger house for a lower rent, but it still cost us a few thousand £££s. A month later, I was told I’d be getting a bonus (we were previously told no bonuses this year and they usually came in December, while this one came in March), and it was enough to cover the cost of the move.
Big or little, it matters not to God. I’m utterly convinced he is concerned about and cares for every detail of my life. If I keep my eyes on him and follow the path he sets before me, he makes sure all my needs are met along the way.
