PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- MARCH 17, 2008
God will provide -- or will he?
A phrase I simply detest is the one used by so many people, "God will provide." Let’s examine this oft-used cliche, and see if it is biblically accurate. What exactly does "God will provide" mean? God will provide, and he has already, all that is necessary for our spiritual salvation. That we know. But this phrase is most often used in terms of the physical conditions in which we find ourselves. God gives us the air we breathe and water to drink -- but the fact is that there are many Christians who are involved in horrible accidents, who die of terminal diseases, who are the victims of crime -- so it cannot be said that God completely shelters us from all physical problems.
Of course we all die, sooner or later, so eventually we will not be "healed" of some illness or another. When a person reads through the New Testament there are many examples of where Jesus did not heal all of the people that needed healing. He healed some but not all. A person can only conclude that God isn't going to provide everyone with good health or healing. "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NLT).
Yes -- there are things God will provide for us but many of his provisions are intangible things, not material things. In the Old Testament there are many examples of God providing tangible items such as food, but these scriptures should not be taken out of context. When reading such passages one has to consider the time, place and the people for whom God provided.
A church or pastor may believe and preach that "God will provide" but if they truly believed what they were preaching there wouldn't be any reason to take an offering.
We must also consider that if "God will provide," there would not be people dying everyday from sickness or hunger. Why doesn't God provide for these people? It appears, from experience, that God will not provide for all of our physical needs and in many cases, if not most, he leaves it up to us to provide some things for ourselves.
"God will provide" seems to be used frequently in the realm of money. Perhaps this is said to give people hope, or make them feel good. But when someone says "God will provide" to someone who is in serious financial straits, then why doesn't the person who is using the phrase reach into their pocket and give the other person some practical financial help?
"What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, 'Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well' -- but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?" (James 2:14-16 NLT)
It's always easier to give lip service than to actually help. Many churches, pastors, and Christians say you must give your "ten percent" or tithe to the church. When a person believes that is what must be given to the church then they are living under the old covenant. The old covenant demands ten percent -- but no such stipulation is found in the new covenant -- the blood of Jesus Christ. If we are going to live by the strict tithing guidelines set forth in the old covenant, can we also live under the new covenant? We either live by the old covenant or the new covenant -- we can't pick parts of both to live by.
The old covenant was replaced by the new covenant of Jesus Christ, not by me, not any pastor nor any church. Jesus did away with the old practices. Ten percent can be used as a guideline, but nowhere does the New Testament mention any certain amount we must give to the church. No church, pastor or person has any biblical basis to tell you that you must give your ten percent because if they do, they are preaching false doctrine. No church, pastor or person has the right to manipulate you into giving what you can’t afford to give.
Little catch phrases such as "do you give God what is right or what is left?" are nothing more than manipulating people, through guilt, to give more money. Some people spend all their lives living in poverty waiting for "God to provide" because of incorrect teachings and practices by the church. I don't believe that God demands or wants us to do without in this life just to give to the church. I believe God expects each of us to make sound financial decisions. He is a God of love, not greed. There are pastors who say that you must "sow a seed" for increase. But is God really in the business of telling us, "If you give me one dollar I will give you two?"
I believe this is just another way to manipulate and control people into giving what they can't afford to give. The Bible states that God loves a cheerful giver. "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'" (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT). Does that mean he doesn't love us because we are worried about how we are going to feed our family because we believe we must give ten percent because of the teachings of the church? God loves us anyway, but is saddened that we feel we must give to the church first before taking care of our families. I don't believe that God loves us less or looks down on us in disappointment whether we can afford to give two dollars or fifty dollars.
God's love for us and our salvation isn't measured in dollars, and you will never buy your way into heaven no matter how much you give. How many people feel guilty when they can't give to the church? The answer is probably many because they feel they are not living up to God's standard. Yet it's not God's standard but the incorrect teachings they have learned. It is my understanding of the Bible that we should take care of our families first, and then as we are able, help others through a church or ministry where we are being provided spiritual food -- a ministry through which we are convinced other people are also being helped.
If someone told me that they haven't provided themselves or their family with food and clothing, and they haven't saved up for the rent because they feel that God will miraculously provide, then I would simply point out that this idea has been tested over and over again, and it is fatally flawed. Those who fall back on the "God will provide" idea, and fail to adequately plan and budget will, in virtually every case, find themselves in horrible financial circumstances.
A church or pastor may believe and preach that "God will provide" but if they truly believed what they were preaching there wouldn't be any reason to take an offering. Pastors are always on the front line when it comes to asking people for money. I don't have any problem with that. It is just one of the unpleasant things they must do. When a pastor asks for money for whatever reason, he/she should be as tactful as possible, realizing that some of the congregation can't afford to give. It is a fact that churches need money to operate. The church needs donations and offerings to keep the doors open, to provide heat, lights and everything that is required. However, no pastor has the right to tell you that you must give a certain amount and that giving to the church must come before anything else. Isn't it interesting that some pastors and churches will pull out the part about tithing from the old covenant, without attempting to enforce other restrictions and commands?
So what does "God will provide" mean to you? When it comes to paying our bills -- whether the bills we all individually have, or those that a church or ministry has, this little catch-phrase can easily become a lazy man's way to opt out of the normal day-to-day responsibilities -- planning, budgeting, and taking care of families.
John Bailey
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