Being the hands and feet

We were cleaning the kitchen this week, my daughter and I, when she began a conversation with, "Why do we even have money?  It would be so much better if we didn't.  Then everyone could share everything."  At 14 she already sees the evil that money can bring.  Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating for you to do what some of the first century Christians did in Acts and sell all of your belongings to give the proceeds to the church and allow the church to provide all your needs.  (Although there are days I can see merit to that kind of society!)

We had been talking about the living conditions in the area that the little girl we sponsor lives, and the conditions where our church missionary is serving.  Children growing up drinking contaminated water to live while we have access to more than enough.  The leftovers in our fridge would probably be at least several days food for a family in a third world country.  The average income per person in the world is about $3,000 per YEAR according to a recent Gallup report.  Think about that....what many of us in this country make in a month is what most of the rest of the world lives on in a year....   Wouldn't it be nice if we could share everything?

I don't write this to shock or guilt you into finding an organization to donate to.  After all, Jesus said that the poor would always be among us. (Matthew 26:11, John 12:8, Mark 14:7)  This is a fallen, broken world.  I write this to illustrate a truth that we often forget, that my 14 year old brought forth in our discussion.  God will provide.

It is that simple.  God promises to take care of our needs. (Philippians 4:19)  He is Jehovah Jireh.  For my 14 year old it was obvious. God makes all things grow, He provides the food we eat so we shouldn't need money to buy it.  It sounds simplistic, but it is what He tells us in Matthew 6:26-32.  God provides everything for the animals and plants in nature and He values us much more than them, He will provide for us as well.  But there is a clause in this.  Read verse 33:

The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.

 It comes back to our hearts.  What do you want most?  God's kingdom?  To do what God wants you to?  Or the comforts of this world?  Don't misinterpret my point here.  I am not saying that if your basic needs aren't being met it must be because your heart is wrong.  There are a lot of illustrations of people doing God's work and suffering through unmet needs as a result. (1 Kings 24 gives a few examples)  What I am saying, is that if you are focusing on God's kingdom and doing what God wants, you will be looking for opportunities to share what you have, to be God's hands and feet in providing for others.

For my 14 year old that meant making a bracelet and writing a letter to the child we sponsor letting her know how much God loves her.  For me it means donating food to the local community cupboard every time I go grocery shopping for my family, and saying a prayer for each person who will receive it to know just how much God loves them.  God calls each of us to help in a different way, but together, as His workers on this earth, we can assist in sharing His love and providing for others.

* originally published at Coffee with Christ