KingJ
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- Mar 31, 2015
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How much does God actually want us to trust Him for our needs?
When we understand what Scripture actually teaches, it is quite a profound revelation: God wants us to trust Him completely, 100%.
We are to trust Him with everything. No matter how big or small. No matter how significant or seemingly insignificant. There is no area of our lives that is too trivial for God, and no need too great for Him.
I think the rich young ruler gives us one of the clearest examples. Imagine going from 100% trust in riches to 0% trust in riches and on to placing 100% trust in God.
The young man had great wealth. His money could provide almost everything he needed. Sick? He could afford the best doctor. Needed a house, horse or carriage? Buy one. Something broke? Replace it. Wanted entertainment, friends or social influence? His wealth could provide those too. His money gave him a tremendous sense of security.
Then Jesus told him: “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Matthew 19:21
The young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions.
Why?
Jesus wasn't simply telling every believer that they must give away everything they own. He was exposing what this particular man trusted in. His wealth had become his security. Jesus was effectively asking him to exchange complete reliance on his riches for complete reliance on God.
And I think there is a lesson here for all of us.
We may not be rich, but we can still have our own substitutes for God. We trust our salary, savings, possessions, abilities, qualifications, insurance, relationships or plans to give us security.
There is nothing wrong with these things. We should work, save, plan and be responsible.
But Scripture says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him.” Proverbs 3:5–6
In all our ways.
We already depend upon God far more than we realise. Every breath we take, every heartbeat, every functioning organ and every ability we possess ultimately depends upon Him.
Paul said: "For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28 and “He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:25
Our physical lives are already completely dependent upon God. Perhaps God wants us to learn to acknowledge that same dependence in every other area of our lives.
Jesus taught us to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
And then: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
This does not mean we stop working or planning. Paul says: “if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10
It means that while we use the resources God gives us, we don't put our ultimate trust in the resources. We trust the Provider.
If I have money, I thank God. If I have little, I trust God. If I am healthy, I thank Him. If I am sick, I trust Him. If my plans succeed, I praise Him. If my plans fail, I still praise Him. If I understand what God is doing, I trust Him. If I don't understand, I trust Him anyway.
Paul learned to live in both abundance and need: “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound.” Philippians 4:12
And Scripture gives us this incredible assurance: “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Romans 8:28
The Christian's security therefore cannot ultimately be found in money, possessions, health, employment, relationships or anything else that can be taken away. Our security is in God.
Perhaps the real question is not:
“Do I have enough to meet my needs?”
but:
“Do I trust God enough to meet my needs?”
The rich young ruler had plenty of earthly security, but Jesus showed him that he was unwilling to surrender that security and completely follow Him.
So perhaps we should ask ourselves:
What are my “riches”? What do I instinctively depend upon when life becomes uncertain? What would I struggle to surrender?
God does not necessarily ask us to give everything away. But He does ask us to trust Him above everything.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 (Shall not want = Shall not be in need).
We have always been dependent upon God. The challenge is to acknowledge it, thank Him and trust Him in everything, with everything
When we understand what Scripture actually teaches, it is quite a profound revelation: God wants us to trust Him completely, 100%.
We are to trust Him with everything. No matter how big or small. No matter how significant or seemingly insignificant. There is no area of our lives that is too trivial for God, and no need too great for Him.
I think the rich young ruler gives us one of the clearest examples. Imagine going from 100% trust in riches to 0% trust in riches and on to placing 100% trust in God.
The young man had great wealth. His money could provide almost everything he needed. Sick? He could afford the best doctor. Needed a house, horse or carriage? Buy one. Something broke? Replace it. Wanted entertainment, friends or social influence? His wealth could provide those too. His money gave him a tremendous sense of security.
Then Jesus told him: “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Matthew 19:21
The young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions.
Why?
Jesus wasn't simply telling every believer that they must give away everything they own. He was exposing what this particular man trusted in. His wealth had become his security. Jesus was effectively asking him to exchange complete reliance on his riches for complete reliance on God.
And I think there is a lesson here for all of us.
We may not be rich, but we can still have our own substitutes for God. We trust our salary, savings, possessions, abilities, qualifications, insurance, relationships or plans to give us security.
There is nothing wrong with these things. We should work, save, plan and be responsible.
But Scripture says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him.” Proverbs 3:5–6
In all our ways.
We already depend upon God far more than we realise. Every breath we take, every heartbeat, every functioning organ and every ability we possess ultimately depends upon Him.
Paul said: "For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28 and “He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:25
Our physical lives are already completely dependent upon God. Perhaps God wants us to learn to acknowledge that same dependence in every other area of our lives.
Jesus taught us to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
And then: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
This does not mean we stop working or planning. Paul says: “if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10
It means that while we use the resources God gives us, we don't put our ultimate trust in the resources. We trust the Provider.
If I have money, I thank God. If I have little, I trust God. If I am healthy, I thank Him. If I am sick, I trust Him. If my plans succeed, I praise Him. If my plans fail, I still praise Him. If I understand what God is doing, I trust Him. If I don't understand, I trust Him anyway.
Paul learned to live in both abundance and need: “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound.” Philippians 4:12
And Scripture gives us this incredible assurance: “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Romans 8:28
The Christian's security therefore cannot ultimately be found in money, possessions, health, employment, relationships or anything else that can be taken away. Our security is in God.
Perhaps the real question is not:
“Do I have enough to meet my needs?”
but:
“Do I trust God enough to meet my needs?”
The rich young ruler had plenty of earthly security, but Jesus showed him that he was unwilling to surrender that security and completely follow Him.
So perhaps we should ask ourselves:
What are my “riches”? What do I instinctively depend upon when life becomes uncertain? What would I struggle to surrender?
God does not necessarily ask us to give everything away. But He does ask us to trust Him above everything.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 (Shall not want = Shall not be in need).
We have always been dependent upon God. The challenge is to acknowledge it, thank Him and trust Him in everything, with everything
