If God supplies our every need, what are they?

[Ian Gentles]

It seems to me that we decide what our needs are. In west they can be bills being paid etc. In third world it can be simply food and clean water. But what are our real needs, and is it right that they differ according to circumstances?

[Wilson L. Deaton]

God doesn't supply our "every need."

The only way to maintain the idea that he does, is to try to redefine "needs" in irregular, unnatural, spiritual ways...

Wilson

[Ray Brock]

God supplies our needs not our wants. Mostly he supplied our need of a Savior

[Ian Gentles]

I believe scripture means needs as in material needs.
Course He supplied a Saviour!
But what are our material/physical needs, and why do they change according to societies we are in?

[Ian Gentles]

God doesn't supply our "every need."

The only way to maintain the idea that he does, is to try to redefine "needs" in irregular, unnatural, spiritual ways...

Wilson

Must admit that here i am thinking of material needs. Course today in west our needs are usually supplied by gainful employment. God means us to work for our needs to be supplied! However having said that, even in west there can be material need beyond what finances we have, especially in lean times. At Christmas, and at other times many in west struggle materially.
Now in third world, as i have said, material needs seem more simple, just to survive for many with food and clean water is considered a blessing!
But, and this is point I am trying to get at, God has said He would meet His peoples needs, supply their needs! What in fact do we consider as needs? A person in west may have lost work through no fault of their own, they have a mortgage to pay, a family to feed, may need car to seek work, and if found, to travel to it! So what would this families needs be, what should they hope for from God? What would be our thinking/teaching?
But also, again comparing us to third world, do needs differ according to situations? One, the westerner, needs food, mortgage, car, etc just to get bye, where third worlders may just need some simple food and clean water. Does God see needs as different according to geographical and material societies folks need to survive in?
Another point to add things change, lets look at west, as time passes bye. Years back a pastor may have live on practically nothing. As we know in rural communities pastors families often survived on food given them by members. In those days everyone struggled, and being poor was normal! But take same family into 21st century. Church members are now professionals standard of living is much higher, and pastor has to live with respect, and the greater needs, in that society, so what are their needs now? Have they changed with society?

[Bob Evans]

Ian

I guess I have always thought that God supplied our needs but that he gets to define what our need is. I have also always thought that if it were any other way then the disperity in prosperity between beleivers becomes a question thats impossible to answer.

Why would God bless the rich faithful man from the western culture with prosperity and not bless the faithful man in the Sudanese refugee camp. In my mind the only way to resulve this idea is that God gets to define our needs.

The same could be said about healing.

[Greg Farra]

One of the sad things in America today is the idea that material wealth is a sign of God's blessing for our faith. The health and wealth gospel has made great inroads into amany churches. I was watching some 'financial preacher' on the Inspiration Network (the off-brand version of TBN) last night telling his followers to sow a thousand dollar seed (to him, of course) with it being implied that they'd receive a bundle of cash from God. What garbage is being taught in Christ's name.

[Ray Brock]

One of the sad things in America today is the idea that material wealth is a sign of God's blessing for our faith. The health and wealth gospel has made great inroads into amany churches. I was watching some 'financial preacher' on the Inspiration Network (the off-brand version of TBN) last night telling his followers to sow a thousand dollar seed (to him, of course) with it being implied that they'd receive a bundle of cash from God. What garbage is being taught in Christ's name.

Amen - Its good to know their are others out their that can see through all the garbage out their that the god of this world is promoting as Christianity. It all falls into end time prophesy which the majority always fall for as its always about money to them. 1 Cor 2:9 - But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the hearts of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

Here we have the promise that God will supply our needs out his abundant riches. Consider the context. Paul has just told them that he knows what it is to be in need, including being hungry. In fact, this passage is triggered when the Philippian church sends Paul an offering that arrives in a time of considerable need.

If we expand the situation a bit, we find that the church at Philippi is concerned about Paul and his condition. They decide to send Paul an offering - however, to send it they have to send money that they, themselves, need for their daily needs. However, they send it anyway and it greatly encourages Paul.

Paul writes to them and says, "I know you sent money you didn't really have to send, but I believe the Lord has taken note of what you have done and that he will take care of you even as you have taken care of me."

The promise of this verse is that if I empty out my bank account for a need that the Lord has laid on my heart, I can do so in faith that God will meet the needs of my life.

[Ian Gentles]

Ian

I guess I have always thought that God supplied our needs but that he gets to define what our need is. I have also always thought that if it were any other way then the disperity in prosperity between beleivers becomes a question thats impossible to answer.

Why would God bless the rich faithful man from the western culture with prosperity and not bless the faithful man in the Sudanese refugee camp. In my mind the only way to resulve this idea is that God gets to define our needs.

The same could be said about healing.

Part of what i was thinking, good points. We often in west see riches, or at least getting bye as faithfulness, and regect those who dont as unfaithfull, they must have some secret sin etc

[Ian Gentles]

Amen - Its good to know their are others out their that can see through all the garbage out their that the god of this world is promoting as Christianity. It all falls into end time prophesy which the majority always fall for as its always about money to them. 1 Cor 2:9 - But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the hearts of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.

I find even our churches see financial, and numercial prosperity as signs God is with us. A mal nurished Sudanese woman nurses her ill nurished child, who is more faithfull?

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Must admit that here i am thinking of material needs....

Anyone who interprets the Bible to mean that God promised to meet all our earthly-life material needs is in a position of having to declare that God has failed. The fact is, with regards to this life, experience has shown again and again that these needs often go unmet.

Wilson

[Ian Gentles]

Anyone who interprets the Bible to mean that God promised to meet all our earthly-life material needs is in a position of having to declare that God has failed. The fact is, with regards to this life, experience has shown again and again that these needs often go unmet.

Wilson

So you agree with em actualy, God dosent supply our material needs?

[Hans Deventer]

So you agree with em actualy, God dosent supply our material needs?

I would agree with that statement. I don't believe in the prosperity gospel. Believing in Jesus isn't like paying an assurance fee.

[Ian Gentles]

I would agree with that statement. I don't believe in the prosperity gospel. Believing in Jesus isn't like paying an assurance fee.

soo we agree God dosent supply needs?

[Hans Deventer]

soo we agree God dosent supply needs?

No, we don't. You're changing the words. We were talking material needs, remember?

[Ian Gentles]

No, we don't. You're changing the words. We were talking material needs, remember?

Yes thread was talking about the material!
My own view is this is an evangelical interpretation, I am in no ways certain God meets His peoples material needs, after all many Christians starve!

[Ray Brock]

Our wants of material things can never be satisfied, you always want more. This can be said of everywhere in life be it millionaire or pauper. Your appetite for material wealth can never be satisfied as you always want more. The biggest worry millionaires have is someone is going to take a little of their money and where can I get my next million, never satisfied. 1 Timothy 6:8 - and having food and clothing let us be therewith content.

[Ray Brock]

Yes thread was talking about the material!
My own view is this is an evangelical interpretation, I am in no ways certain God meets His peoples material needs, after all many Christians starve!



We are to help those in need of food. How many times do you find homeless around hungry and you can't stand to be around them. Don't give them money to buy food, give them food. How many times has a person come into Church that wasn't pretty or smelled bad and were told to leave. Churches are filled with hypocrites who are their for recognition only.

[Ian Gentles]

We are to help those in need of food. How many times do you find homeless around hungry and you can't stand to be around them. Don't give them money to buy food, give them food. How many times has a person come into Church that wasn't pretty or smelled bad and were told to leave. Churches are filled with hypocrites who are their for recognition only.

Oh couldent agree more my friend.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

I would agree with that statement. I don't believe in the prosperity gospel. Believing in Jesus isn't like paying an assurance fee.

Well said, Hans.

Wilson

[Ian Gentles]

Ah but, question wasnt anything to do with prosperity gospel!

[Rance Gould]

Psalm 23 Pretty much sums up the list of our spiritual needs. Following is what tne foot notes of NKJV in The Wesley Bible says about Psalm 23, sub titled, "The Good Shepherd and Gracious Host."

Psalm 23 This universally loved psalm reoresents the meditation of a mature spirit. The secret of it's peace is intimate fellowship with God at all stages of life. The Good Shepherd is described in vv. 1-4; the Host in vv. 5, 6.
23:1 The Lord is my shepherd: This imagery cast the divine human relationship into the most intimate and personal terms. See note on v. 5.
23:2 Green pastures and still waters are the physical and emotional necessities of life.
23:3 restores my soul...paths of righteousness: These are the resources for the human spirit.
23:4 Death is the greatest extremity of life, but even here, God goes with us. Fear is overcome by His presence. the shepherd's rod if for our defense; His staff for our guidance and dicipline.
23:5 You prepare a table: As the Host, God has made complete provision for our every need. in the presence of my enemies: The sheep/Shepherd imagery cannot convey all that needs to be said about God's grace and mercy to His people. The Near Eastern host who would lay down his life for the guest adds the deeper dimension.
23:6 Goodness and Mercy are the ministries of God most needed by humanity; they follow us all through life. dwell in the house of the Lord forever: We are no longer guests, but adopted family.

We, as God's adopted kids, are really blessed, don't you think?

[Barb Bouldrey]

I believe that there are Christians who die of starvation. I believe that Christians died in prison camps during World War 2.

I mentioned once before about God's Smuggler, Brother Andrew, complaining to God that he did not have razors to shave with or tooth powder for brushing his teeth. God let him know that he did not NEED those things, he only wanted them.

We learned in one of our pastorates that we could exist comfortably on only two meals a day instead of 3. We did not NEED 3 meals a day.

When our son was born we discovered that our health insurance was not as good as we thought and owed a big hospital bill. Then 8 weeks later I had to have surgery and our medical bills really increased.

As the bills arrived I cried harder and harder and got more discouraged daily. Finally I sobbed before the Lord and He told me that if I gave those bills to Him, He would help us pay them. I actually laid them on the bed, got on my knees and gave them to God. It took 5 years, but we paid them without ever getting one late notice from the hospital or doctor.

God has always supplied every spiritual need I have ever had. ALWAYS.

God has always helped us pay our bills...eventually.

Barb

[Rance Gould]

soo we agree God dosent supply needs?



I'm beginning to believe that God may withhold certain needs as He works out His will for us. We are His people and He knows best at any time in our spiritual journey exactly what we need and when. The lack of something we actually need that is slow in coming may very well be God's way of teaching us patience, to perservere in prayer, complete dependance on Him, waiting on God, faithfulness and so on.

One thing we all can depend on for sure - Matthew 6:19-34.

Amen!

[Gina Stevenson]

Our wants of material things can never be satisfied, you always want more. This can be said of everywhere in life be it millionaire or pauper. Your appetite for material wealth can never be satisfied as you always want more. The biggest worry millionaires have is someone is going to take a little of their money and where can I get my next million, never satisfied. 1 Timothy 6:8 - and having food and clothing let us be therewith content.

What's bothered me about this is that, while "food and clothing" are noted, no mention of a "roof" is contained therein. Streets are dangerous enough that it seems a "roof" definitely falls into the "need(s)" category ...........

[Hans Deventer]

Yes thread was talking about the material!
My own view is this is an evangelical interpretation, I am in no ways certain God meets His peoples material needs, after all many Christians starve!

True. That's probably what I don't like about the all too enthusiastic services there can be in evangelical circles. Makes you feel like loser if you apparently don't live at that level. But when we read the psalms, a different picture emerges. People throughout history have had to deal with a silent God. We shouldn't be surprised if we have too.

The miracle isn't that God is speaking all the time, the miracle is that He has spoken at all.

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

Barb, Once my best friend was so distraught over hospital bills, that she did what you did--spread them out on the bed, and told god, she was turning them all over to God. That same day, she received a call. While the lady was trying to tell her that the bills had been "written off", she was trying to tell the lady how they would have to go about paying a little at a time. Finally, she caught on.
She knew what she had prayed, but with someone from the hospital calling, she just took for granted it was about their bills. It was, but in a miraculous way.

[Ian Gentles]

True. That's probably what I don't like about the all too enthusiastic services there can be in evangelical circles. Makes you feel like loser if you apparently don't live at that level. But when we read the psalms, a different picture emerges. People throughout history have had to deal with a silent God. We shouldn't be surprised if we have too.

The miracle isn't that God is speaking all the time, the miracle is that He has spoken at all.

Yes those joyous always victories churches tend to get me down, if i was silly enough to let them. I find from my much reading in church history that Christians have suffered horribly. Todays modern always positive churches haven't got a clue what the Christian life is about.

[Barbara Moulton]

It seems to me that we decide what our needs are. In west they can be bills being paid etc. In third world it can be simply food and clean water. But what are our real needs, and is it right that they differ according to circumstances?

I believe that God will supply what we need in order to do His will. That indeed might differ according to our circumstances.

[Roland Hearn]

He certainly supplies our need for Him. The question is, in the light of eternity is there any other need.

Having said that I believe it is an expression of grace for God to be involved in our daily needs and sometimes desires.

Of course the most fundamental issues comes down to the question of how willing are we to allow him to so shape our lives that we are able to use the gifts and graces He has given us in order to bring Him glory with our lives and our attitude.

It seems to me that it is a by product, in western culture at least, that those who know how to live well, touching other lives and giving of themselves more often than not do all right in the material world as well.

Perhaps asking the question, "Can God take care of my material needs?" is looking in the wrong direction. Perhaps we could look after the physical, emotional, inspirational needs of those around us, give of ourselves, touch lives, be known as one that always brings joy and constantly ask the question, "whose needs can I met next?" and God would more than take care of our needs in the process. Just a thought.

A question I ask myself fairly regularly is: how many of the people that are in touch with my life on a regular basis are glad they are? It helps keep me looking in the right direction.

[Hans Deventer]

I believe that God will supply what we need in order to do His will. That indeed might differ according to our circumstances.

That's a keeper. Good insight, Barbara!