Name: Kat Todd
Question: There are several scriptures that speak of God providing for devout believers; for example, Matthew 6:31-33. I understand these verses are not promising that we will never suffer from poverty, homelessness, etc. But my understanding is that the Lord will allow our base needs to be met (i.e. we won’t starve to death, etc) if we believe and trust in him.
This interpretation is problematic however, because there are people who do starve to death, freeze in the streets, etc. How do we reconcile these scriptures with this fact? I understand bad things happen in the world due to the free will of others, etc. but that does not negate the promise. Similarly, I know God did not promise to care for us in spite of our own actions (i.e. if you are a drunk, gambler, etc.) but surely not all of those who have suffered in this way are in that category?
How do we reconcile the promise in these verses with the reality of this world? Are we to assume every single person who has died from a lack of their fundamental needs being met was not a devout Christian?
Answer: Thanks for the question Kat.
When Jesus said, “all these things shall be added unto you,” it wasn’t a blanket statement, and it doesn’t mean we have a bubble of protection around us. It was a general statement for devoted Christians who are performing God’s will. Remember Elijah, God had ravens feed him, (1 Kings 17:6)?
However, as a devoted Christian, if I wander off into the woods without proper planning, get lost, and begin to starve, will God provide for me? I don’t believe so, I chose to make a bad decision, of my own free will. I don’t expect God to bail me out of my own mistake.
Let’s discuss the details.
Your Father Knoweth What Things Ye Have Need Of
In order to gain context, I want you to recall what Jesus said prior to verses 31-33.
In Matthew 6:8-10, Jesus said, “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him,” that’s directly tied to your question, and verse 33. Then, Christ went right into a famous prayer, a prayer that asks for God’s will to be performed on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Now, let me ask…
How can God’s will be done on earth, unless we first seek it out?
That tells us, in order for our Father’s will to be performed on earth, we must first seek it out, we need to live according to it, perform it, and expand it. Then we can concern ourselves with our daily needs, and then He will provide us “all these things.”
See the condition?
Let’s continue in Matthew.
Matthew 6:33 Explained
In Matthew 6:31-32, Jesus ties in the former thought saying, don’t worry about what you’re going to eat or wear, “For after all these things do the Gentiles seek.” That is the focus of a Gentile, the non-believer, to ‘seek first’ what they will eat and wear, on a daily basis.
Clearly, they focus on the cares and concerns of the world. Instead of investing their time and energy on the Heavenly things above, where our treasure resides.
Let’s have verse 33.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
That’s a conditional statement.
First and foremost, Christians must seek the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and then “all these things shall be added unto you.”
Why?
It means you’re living a Christian life. It means you’re placing God first, and allowing Him to lead your life. If you’re doing that, you’re reaping all the wisdom found in Scripture. If you’re doing that, it’s impossible to starve or find yourself without clothing, of your own free will.
Let me show you another example.
If You Don’t Work, You Don’t Eat
This is what the Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians,
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Paul is saying, “Hey, if you don’t work, you’re not going to eat, and you’re going to starve.”
Does that mean Paul contradicted Jesus?
Of course not.
Jesus never said, ‘Become a bum, don’t work, and God will take care of you.’ Neither did He say, ‘We should not seek out food.’ Jesus was simply telling us, first and foremost, our utmost concern in life should be God’s Kingdom and His righteousness.
How many of us can truly and honestly say we live like that?
In reality, most people wake up and think about breakfast, then strive to obtain more material possessions. We quickly forget what Jesus said,
“Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
Matthew 6:25
Christ’s point was simple, life is about more than just food, drink, and clothing. In fact, it was Paul who said, “In whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content,” (Philippians 4:11).
Life is about our eternal position in God’s Kingdom, not about having a full belly all the time.
That’s why Jesus said, don’t be like the Gentiles, don’t be like non-believers who continually seek after food, clothing, and I’ll add, things of this world.
Now, let’s get back to what Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
‘If you don’t work, you don’t eat.’
Think about that…
That is Biblical advice that’s tied to Christ’s promise.
Hey, if you’re willing to follow God’s Word, and get a job, then you’re not going to starve to death, and you will have clothing to wear. In part, this is God providing you what you need in order to survive. Positive spiritual advice, not necessarily a miracle.
Unfortunately, there are many Christians who do not live fully for Jesus. They speak of Jesus, they go to church, they even share Jesus at times, but they do not live according to the Book. In fact, they rarely if ever read the Bible themselves.
Instead, they live riotously at times.
They become involved in drugs and abuse alcohol, a little here, and a little more there.
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Then one day, tragedy strikes, and they find themselves on the street.
Hungry, without food or shelter.
Do they get to claim the promise from Jesus in Matthew 6:33?
This is how it happens Kat, I have seen it firsthand, time and time again.
All right, now let me touch on what you said about “devout Christians.”
Devout Christians
We commonly hear, “So and so is a devout Christian.”
Are they really “devout” though?
On the outside, they may appear to be “devout,” but are they truly devout on the inside, spiritually?
Only God knows an individual’s heart, the rest of us just make assumptions.
You said,
I know God did not promise to care for us in spite of our own actions (i.e. if you are a drunk, gambler, etc.) but surely not all of those who have suffered in this way are in that category?
Now think about what you said for a moment…
You made an assumption, and then built an entire premise on that assumption.
That’s dangerous.
You are assuming that at least some people without food and clothes (which everyone has), are devout Christians. So you’re interjecting a rationale that may or may not be true, which in turn, leads to doubt over God’s Word. We always have to be careful of that.
Here’s the deal…
In the United States where Christianity is rooted, even the homeless have basic food and clothing. So even the homeless are not starving. Instead, churches and other organizations help these destitute people. Therefore, Scripture holds true, in this context, and under these circumstances.
That is, if, some of these people are in fact, “devout Christians.”
The fact of the matter is, nearly all homeless and destitute people are a product of their own free will. They didn’t resist the Devil, so they became entangled in his devices, or those of mankind, (James 4:7).
Instead of seeking God first, they sought the world first, and they became addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling, and who knows what else, which led to their living condition. Hey, if that were not true, they would not be drunks, attics, gamblers, thieves, and so on.
Now, anyone who is living according to the Bible, and I mean all of it, will not find themselves in that situation. They will not find themselves starving to death without food, water, and clothing in their typical daily life.
It’s just not going to happen.
How can I be so certain?
- God promised it.
- Biblical advice prevents it.
The simple fact is, if you are truly living according to the Bible, if you are building treasure in Heaven, then Matthew 6:33 will be a reality for you, (Matthew 6:20).
Why?
It means you’re following God’s Word and He always blesses those who adhere to His Words. However, if we’re not, then we should not expect to obtain promises when we’re lukewarm Christians, like the church of Ladeocia.
All These Things
Now, I’ve mostly covered a literal interpretation. If you’re a devout and faithful Christian, then you’ll have some food and some clothing. We’re not talking about great wealth, just the basics.
However, I want to re-enforce, and I want you to understand, this promise is primarily directed to Christians who are expanding God’s Kingdom. That’s what Matthew 6:8-10 helped us understand.
Let me explain further…
In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus said if we place God first, then “all these things shall be added unto you.” In Matthew 21:22, we find a similar concept.
Let’s read it.
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
You see that?
“And all things,” just like Matthew 6:33, “all these things.”
Now, Jesus was not saying,
“Ask for a Corvette and I’ll send you one.”
The context and spiritual understanding relates to God’s Kingdom.
If you ask anything relating to the Kingdom of God, to increase it, to expand it, then you will receive those blessings, if they’re in tune with God’s plan.
Far too often, we interpret Scripture through the lens of our earthly needs, desires, and wants. We think about our life and blessings here, when the true blessings have eternal meaning. God’s promises are conditional, upon you following Him, and expanding His Kingdom.
Even so,
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Psalms 37:25