While working at my desk, I often use Spotify to play my old favorites. I choose low-volume instrumental classic or Christian-themed background music so I am not distracted by the lyrics. A few days ago, an old chorus I had not heard in years began playing–“He’s More than Enough”. I recalled the lyrics—identifying the significant names of God to help us better understand how He provides for every need—that is who my God is! He is sufficient to provide me with whatever I need. He is my personal provider.
All you or I need!
God never intended for you and me as his stewards to have just enough to get by. He intends for us to live a life of abundance. The wealth God transfers to His children to be distributed here on earth is but a minute part of the total wealth in His possession. God is not limited in His ability to supply abundantly.
Paul refers to God’s ability to supply in Philippians 4:19 (NASB) when he writes, “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Note two things: First, this is a guarantee—He shall. Second, God supplies according to His riches, not out of His riches. Do you understand the importance of this for us as stewards? The supply itself is an unlimited inventory. As we use what He’s given to us, He has the resources to give us much more without ever diminishing His total supply!
Sufficiency in everything.
Paul further explains God’s provision to the Corinthians in this way: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NASB). God’s plan for you and me is to have an abundance of what we need so we can carry out every good deed.
Get this: Although God has infinite resources, He doesn’t want any waste. Therefore, He chooses to supply according to how His children demonstrate faithfulness in carrying out their job description by meeting the needs of others. The trustworthy steward has sufficiency in everything . . . yes, everything.
We sometimes need help relating to how much is available to us. We often think of wealth in terms of supply and demand. Thus, we put greater value on items that appear to be limited in quantity rather than on those that are in great abundance. Often, our culture and circumstances set the perceived value.
Dirt is abundant on this earth. In fact, most of us try to get rid of it because we have far more around us than we need. Yet dirt becomes of great value if you have a limited supply. I am told that people moving to some South Sea coral reefs often take dirt as a part of their prized possessions to enjoy living plants that only good dirt produces.
I’m afraid we often have things of great value to God in our possession, but due to our immaturity or lack of perspective, we fail to recognize what God has entrusted to us.
Fooled by the manipulator
Remember Esau and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah? The Middle East conflicts today can be traced to these two conniving brothers. Esau was minutes older than his brother. He had a beautiful bronze tan and a toned body that would make any weightlifter jealous.
He loved the outdoors and was a skillful hunter. Today he would no doubt serve as president of the National Wildlife Federation or be a male model in a fashion magazine. I believe he had cocky confidence in himself—maybe more than he deserved. He acted like he was the center of the universe.
Esau knew how to please his father. He never failed to bring in the best from his hunting adventures. As the firstborn, he had a definite advantage over his twin brother: He held the right to a precious inheritance that his brother, Jacob, could not have.
Jacob, on the other hand, was Mr. Average. He was not a hunter and didn’t seem to care too much for the outdoors. He loved to manage things around the home, and he loved to cook. But he was also very conniving! While likely quiet, he was a master manipulator.
Can you imagine the evening Esau returned home, exhausted and famished after a day or two of hunting? When you’re tired and hungry, even stew looks like a feast. Let’s listen in on a conversation they had:
“Man, what a day! Jacob, I’m exhausted. The heat is killing me, and my feet hurt. What’s for dinner? Boy, am I starved! What’s the red stuff there? Give me a bite.”
“So you’re hungry, huh, Esau? I’ll make you a deal. I’ll trade you a bowl of this delicious culinary creation of my best homemade stew, with a side of cornbread, and honey for your birthright. How about it, bro?”
“Look, Jacob, when a guy is about to starve to death, what good is a birthright?”
“Is it a deal, then? If it is, make your vow to God that what is yours is now mine.”
“OK, Jacob, you’ve got a deal. I vow to God my birthright is yours in exchange for a square meal tonight. Now hurry up and get the food on the table.”
Esau made an unwise, foolish, and immature stewardship decision without considering the implications. Yes, at that moment, the decision seemed reasonable. Esau never once considered the consequences of this rash decision. He got an all-you-can-eat culinary feast and a drink along with it. As usual, he did his business, never considering what he had done. Does this sound like you? I can identify.
But decisions always have consequences. Not until many years later did he realize he had foolishly squandered the fiduciary responsibility that came with his position as the eldest son.
Are you guilty of making decisions without much thought of the implications? Many stewards today are living with the consequences of emotional spur-of-the-moment decisions. Yes, decisions ALWAYS have consequences!
You Name It He's Got It
Your heavenly Father, the great Jehovah, has an infinite supply of all you need, want, or desire. He is capable and willing to give to you. He is waiting for you to make a withdraw from His account.
You need not fear that you will overdraw. The check will not bounce. The supply is far greater than your demand. He is capable of redeeming even bad decisions if He sees you are ready for redemption.
Are you aware that God’s names mentioned in the Old Testament reflect His ability to supply?
Jehovah Nissi: I am your banner.
Jehovah Shalom: I am your peace.
Jehovah Tsidkenu: I am your righteousness.
Jehovah Jireh: I am the one who provides.
Jehovah Rapha: I am the one who heals.
Jehovah Raah: I am your shepherd.
Jehovah Shammah: I am the one who is present.
Have you been living unknowingly on the corner of Poverty Street and Uncertainty Circle? Have you thought that your requests might overtax God’s supply? Have you lived as if you owned it all and feel you don’t have enough?
Why not decide now that you will begin to tap His infinite resources and start writing faith checks on His account? Rather than watching the parade of faithful stewards march by, you can join in and be in the parade.
What’s Holding You Back?
God’s wealth and riches are available upon request. All He is expecting from us is that we ask and then be obedient and faithful to distribute what He provides to each of us. He is ready to supply if you are ready to respond.
If you are serious about being what He designed you to be, He is ready. The first step is to redistribute what He has already given you. He will not give you more until you distribute what He’s already provided. It’s up to you. God to you; you to others.
What is holding you back from enjoying an abundance of His provision? Are you afraid you will lose something in the deal?
What you have is not yours—just pass it on and see what happens. He has more than enough for you, but you need to engage with His plan to reap the blessings.
