The Source of Provision

provision

From time to time, one is present when an interesting question is posed.

Recently was such a time: the question was not only interesting, it tugged the mind back to revisit the question on several occasions.

And so, the question and one answer are now shared with the reader.

THE QUESTION: “Should a believer take advantage of any government-sponsored programs for which he may be eligible?”

The one who asked the question elaborated a bit by offering that “Someone who is a follower of Jesus Christ should depend on God–not man–for his provisions. It is God–not the government–which provides for us.”

The question was interesting because it not only (basically) asked who is the source of man’s provision: the government–with its many “safety net” programs–OR God; it also asked IF a believer should use any of those programs for which the believer is eligible.

God’s Word gives the ultimate answer.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work”
–2CORINTHIANS 9:8

Jesus Himself said:

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
–Matthew 6:25,31-34

HOWEVER, the one who posed the question asked if a believer should take advantage of any government programs for which he is eligible.

THE ANSWER:  “Sure.  Why not? The only question is whether such programs would lure the believer away from knowing it is GOD who provides–not the government. And a true believer KNOWS God is the source of all the good things of provision.”

God reveals in His Word that He (God) has control over all of his creation–which makes Him the source of ALL provision.

“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”
–Psalm 50:10

“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.”
–Haggai 2:8

NOW, back to the question and its answer.

A short while later, the one who answered also elaborated on his reply (as did the one who asked).

“Who is to say that the government program is not being used by God as a method of His provision? Just as God uses the government’s forces for law and order to help protect believers, He also can use the government’s many social programs as agents to provide for His followers.  After all, earthly governments are all put into place by God Himself.”

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
–Romans 13:1-2

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
–Romans 13:3-4

The one who answered then added one more thought to his answer.

“As long as you are straight on WHO IT IS THAT IS DOING THE PROVIDING, there shouldn’t be any problem with enrolling in a government program for which you are eligible. It is NOT Social Security; it is not Food Stamps; it is not Medicare which is the provider. It is God who provides using those programs as agents of His provision.”

To one who overheard this exchange, this seemed to be a reasonable, Bible-based answer.

Actually, it seemed to be an answer which was as interesting as the original question.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
–Philippians 4:19

 

DOES the reader believe that his provision (food, shelter, clothes, savings, etc.) comes from the one who signs the check?

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: October 9, 2019.]

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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: ETPR/Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.com/ETPR

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Author: Jeremiah J Jameson

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One thought on “The Source of Provision”

  1. There isn’t anything wrong with utilizing the benefits the government has to offer for which one is eligible ….as long as one isn’t trusting that government / man will be there tomorrow (in the future) to continue to provide those benefits.

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