When I started the process of studying the economy of
the kingdom vs. the economy of the world, my intention was to address what I considered ‘foundational’ topics first. In doing so, I started off with “The Nature of the Two Kingdoms”. We are so used to navigating only what we see with our natural eyes, what our senses can see, smell, taste or touch, that we have paid little attention to the systems and structures overseen by the prince of darkness. In that first study, when I asked, “What is the difference between the kingdom and the church”, I found out how little thought we have ever given to the topic of KINGDOM. We have shared the gospel of salvation and invited people to come to church, but know little about the gospel of the Kingdom, where Jesus invites us to partner with Him to go to the world. After that first ‘ground-breaking’ study, I began to look at God as Creator–where He establishes His ownership, and then at God as Provider–where He establishes His nature and character. In both Old and New Testaments, we watch the lessons of provision unfold. Lessons are continually a part of God’s nature and character as both Father and Provider.
Exodus 16:1-4
Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we say by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.”
When we consider the pattern of God continually ‘testing’ us concerning provision–don’t interpret that to mean that He will always proceed provision with ‘lack’, in order to see if we are as ‘grumbly’ as Israel was. God doesn’t test for the purpose of failing us, but to tutor us into the ways of His Kingdom. We have lived so long in the same manner that the world lives, that often, our faith has become corrupted. I believe I have picked up on one of His ways through a story I read last Sunday in the newspaper. There was a story of a young woman who had gone to Uganda and saw the plight of young women trying to get an education in that country. She came home with a heart commitment to make sure at least a few of these women received the needed funding. Instead of raising funds/money from friends, she came up with an “inspired idea” for starting a business that made a unique sandal. Martha Stewart saw this “idea” and featured it in one of her catalogues, and success multiplied overnight. I don’t know if this particular story concerns a Christian seeing a need and then meeting that need through an “inspired thought”, but it should certainly be a lesson for us concerning His ways. Jacob claimed to have an “inspired thought” (Genesis 31:1-13) and God used this for a transfer of wealth from Laban to Jacob. We see Joseph given an “inspired thought”–and provision is secured for the known world.
As you look in your corner of the world, perhaps there is a level of provision that you have yet to see. It is not coming as money, but as a “seed”–an inspired thought. Pay attention, and see what the Lord might accomplish.