Food, shelter, and clothing are the basic necessities of life, and Jesus tells us not to be anxious about them. Jesus will give us all that we need as we follow Him and continue His point-of-need ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout our ministry, God has provided my wife, my children, and me with food, shelter, and clothing. The first church we pastored paid us fifty dollars a week. The second church we pastored paid us one hundred dollars a week. We never went hungry, homeless, or naked during those years. We obeyed God, and He miraculously provided for our needs, and still does today. I thank God for the people He sent to help us, for second-hand stores, and for my wife, who is an expert at couponing.
A conflict arises when we want more than we need, or when we confuse our wants with our needs. I want a thick juicy steak — Pinto beans are a lot cheaper and healthier. I want brand new clothes — secondhand clothes work just fine. I want a house with acreage — I only need a roof over my head. I want a brand new four-wheel-drive pickup truck — my nineteen-year-old car runs fine. I could go on and on. Our wants are oftentimes different from our needs, and this can cause much anxiety.
Beloved, focus on Jesus and His Kingdom. Jesus promises to take care of your needs. As you put Jesus and His Kingdom first in your life and all that you do, all of your needs will be taken care of. You can be assured of that (Matthew 6:25-33 ESV).
(The above is excerpted from the book, Be Encouraged: A Daily Devotional, Volume 2 by Gregory A. Johnson. Copyright © Gregory A. Johnson. All rights reserved.)
You can send us your prayer request online at LovingGodFellowship.org/prayer. We will pray, trusting the Lord with you.
Know that you are loved,
gaj
