Written By: Stephen Carpenter
There are certain scriptures that bring us joy and delight. We love scriptures that promise us blessings. We are especially fond of God’s Word when he agrees to act on our benefit. Among our most beloved words are those spoken by Jesus himself in Matthew 6.
Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, implores us not to worry. Specifically, he says we need have no concerns for what we will eat, or drink, or wear. God knows we need these things and if we strive first for his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given as well. How blessed many of us in the developed world feel! God has kept his promises to us! We have never felt the pangs of hunger and starvation. We have never been poisoned by dirty drinking water. We have never been paraded naked through our towns. What’s more, we have been given shelter, with heat in the winter and cool air in the summer.
And truth be told, we have not always been striving for righteousness, nor actively seeking God’s kingdom above all else. Yet, God still blesses…at least in regards to the basic necessities of life. God has been good. Therefore, it is no struggle to rejoice and find delight in him.
Of course, this is a western perspective; especially an American one. In our culture, less than 5% actually live in poverty. This is not true for the rest of the world. And, while those living in poverty in America certainly have needs, few are without food, drink, or clothing. So again, we see that God is good and He keeps his word.
But what about others around the world? I often wonder how Christian brothers and sisters who lack the essentials of life still maintain their faith. After all, God surely seems a little shaky on this promise at least. Still, those people vigorously pursue the kingdom and righteousness of God. As I have travelled I have encountered people of the deepest faith who materially have the least. The joy on the faces of the children in the Mahari slum of Kenya as they sang praises to God has been unmatched in any church I have served or visited here. They sang with confidence that God will still come through. But how?
I suppose God could miraculously meet their needs with some “manna” from heaven, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The only thing I can think of then, is us. Those of us who have been blessed must be a blessing to those in more need than we are. The responsibility is ours. When our family across the world is hurting and struggling, we must use our resources as a soothing balm upon their wounds. We must ensure that they too have food and drink and clothing and shelter.
How thankful I am that God has enabled us to fulfill his promises in his name, to others.
Last modified: December 5, 2023
