Giving and Receiving

In the given climate we find the world in, many of us are beginning to go without the provisions given to us by the world. However, this is the purpose of economic duress in our Father’s eyes. To put us in a place of giving and receiving with one another, He must first separate us from the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life, which take away our love for Him and others.

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.

By taking away the lusts, pleasures, and pride that distract us from Him (symbolically represented by leavened bread and intoxicating drink), we get the opportunity to know Him better in our wilderness.

Deuteronomy 29:6

6 You (Israelites) have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or other strong drink, in order that you might know that I am the Lord your God.

Our first born, carnal selves who engage in these lusts are numb to the things of God and unable to understand Him. Only the heavenly mind, the mind of Christ, our second born nature, can discern our Father.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

14 But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

From our born again moment, our Father starts the process of removing us from our lusts. As we do so, we begin to “dwell” more and more in these heavenly places in Christ Jesus, being made alive together with Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-6

1 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Therefore, we seek the things that are in the heavenly places where Christ is, setting our minds on things that are there and not things that are here in the world.

Colossians 3:1-2

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

Our Father has allowed us to be made alive with Christ to dwell in heavenly places with the mind of Christ for our discernment of spiritual things in order to show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness.

Ephesians 2:7 (continued from Ephesians 2:1-6 from above)

7 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

As He pulls us from our lusts and our propensity to “dwell” on earthly things, He draws us into our wilderness by this kindness in order for us to know Him better.

Jeremiah 31:2-3

2 This is what the Lord says: “The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness— Israel, when it went to find its rest.” 3 The Lord appeared to him long ago, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you out with kindness.

By having our lusts and pleasures taken from us, it is easier for us to no longer prostitute ourselves by following after our own eyes and hearts. Instead, we would follow our Father’s commandments in obedience, which leads to holiness.

Numbers 15:39-41

39 It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so that you will do them and not follow your own heart and your own eyes, which led you to prostitute yourselves, 40 so that you will remember and do all My commandments and be holy to your God. 41 I am the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the Lord your God.”

As He brings us out of the world and its lusts and into our wilderness, He’s producing in us humility, testing us to see if we will continue in His commandments or not. In this way, we would truly get to know how far we have come in sanctifying Christ as Lord in our hearts.

Deuteronomy 8:2

2 And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, in order to humble you, putting you to the test, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

As we are left without our lusts and worldly pleasures, we are driven into undistracted devotion to His Word. In this way, we would learn what it means to not just live on bread alone but on the unleavened bread (manna ~ Word) that comes out of the mouth of the Lord. 

Deuteronomy 8:3

3 And He humbled you and let you go hungry, and fed you with the manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, in order to make you understand that man shall not live on bread alone, but man shall live on everything that comes out of the mouth of the Lord.

This is all only for our good.

Deuteronomy 8:16

16 In the wilderness it was He who fed you manna which your fathers did not know, in order to humble you and in order to put you to the test, to do good for you in the end.

Our wilderness is a place of discipline - a place where we can grow in holiness. It’s an undistracted place where our minds can dwell in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. It’s in our wilderness where we learn to walk in deeper obedience and grow in our fear of our Father.

Deuteronomy 8:4-5

4 Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. 5 So you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. 6 Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.

As we grow in obedience and fear through our Father’s help in ridding us of the earthly things we dwell on and thrusting us into dwelling on the things that are above, we begin to see the manifestation of conquering our “Promise Land.” In this process of being made new, we begin to see a conquering of our sin nature and a transformation into a land flowing with milk, honey, and many other fruits as He turns us into the good soil found in “The Parable of the Sower.” The Promise Land our Father led the Israelites in to conquer is the same “Promise Land” He gives to us as we grow in obedience for the overcoming of our sin nature.

Deuteronomy 8:7-10

7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of streams of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines, fig trees, and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without shortage, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.

Only through obedience can we conquer our sin nature and receive the “Promise Land” free of wickedness and full of fruits.

Deuteronomy 4:1

1 “Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you will live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

A pursuit of our lusts stunt our ability to fully overcome the “Promise Land” to be found within us. The pursuit of our lusts stunt the fruits of the Spirit we are to be producing through our obedience.

John 15:4; 10

4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me… 10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

Matthew 13:22

22 And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Mark 4:18-19

18 And others are the ones sown with seed among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 

Luke 8:14

14 And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity.

We are to learn how to love and treasure these fruits above all material things as these fruits develop in us as the nature and character of Christ.

1 Peter 1:6-7

6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation (manifestation) of Jesus Christ (in us);

Those who pursue these lusts and worldly provisions are given a “woe” as those who rely on “Egypt,” which is a spiritual picture of the world. They are proving they go to the world instead of seeking our Father for what they need.

Isaiah 31:1

1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!

Isaiah 31:1 is also accompanied by a “woe” for relying on the strength of horses, chariots, and man. David also used this analogy for when we lean on our own strength or the strength of the world. Our Father takes no pleasure in our own doings. We please Him by waiting in faith for His faithfulness to reveal itself by following through with His many promises.

Psalm 147:10-11

10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The Lord favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His faithfulness.

For as many as the promises of God are, all are yes in Him.

2 Corinthians 1:20

20 For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

Without faith in our Father, it is impossible to please Him. He is the one who rewards those who seek Him above this world with its lusts.

Hebrews 11:6

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.

Waiting by faith for our Father to show up and make good on His many many promises is what John means by keeping His “Word of perseverance.” This pleases our Father and those who learn to walk this way are kept from the hour of testing, which is coming to all who spiritually “dwell upon the earth” instead of in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 3:8-10

8 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have followed My word, and have not denied My name (nature ~ character ~ authority). 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth.

To help us keep His word of perseverance, our Father proves His power in providing and protecting the New Testament believer by giving us the Old Testament Jew as an example.

Romans 15:4

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Deuteronomy 29:5

5 And I have led you in the wilderness for forty years; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot. 

We see Jesus strive to make the same point for his 12 disciples as he purposely sends them out two by two with no provisions.

Luke 9:2-3

 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics.

They quickly realized that they would lack nothing as workers deserving of their wages.

Luke 22:35

35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.”

Matthew 10:9-10

9 Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support. 

Luke 10:7

7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide; for the laborer is deserving of his wages.

But in that, there is the catch. We must prove ourselves as workers of righteousness if we are to deserve our wages.  If we are not willing to do the work of our Father in walking in the good deeds of our faith to manifest the new man of Christ in us (aka, receiving our conquered “Promise Land” full of fruits by overcoming our sin nature), we should not expect even to eat when we look to Him to provide.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13

10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work peacefully and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary of doing good.

As the disciples went out for the glory of our Father and the benefit of the listener, in the same way, we too must seek our provisions for the benefit of the many. Otherwise, we shouldn’t expect to receive anything from Him.

James 4:1-3

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts? 2 You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.

We, as a single body of believers, need to come together as one for the benefit of the whole, not declaring anything as our own so that not a single one of us would be in need - just like the first church from Antioch did.

Acts 2:44-46

44 And all the believers were together and had all things in common; 45 and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

Acts 4:32-35

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

Jesus demonstrates the severity of not seeking to pull our brothers and sisters up to our level, considering the body of Christ above ourselves.

Luke 16:19-31

19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, enjoying himself in splendor every day. 20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed from the scraps which fell from the rich man’s table; not only that, the dogs also were coming and licking his sores. 22 Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s arms; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 And in Hades he raised his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his arms. 24 And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set, so that those who want to go over from here to you will not be able, nor will any people cross over from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I request of you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not come to this place of torment as well.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

The rich man’s priorities were not in alignment with our Father’s priorities. He accumulated riches for himself as if they were going to go with him after he died. He loved the reward of riches above the knowledge and understanding of the things of God. If he did so, he would have kept the second commandment and loved Lazarus as himself instead of dwelling upon all his earthly lusts and pleasures, which rendered him a son of disobedience.

Psalm 49:16-20

16 Do not be afraid when a person becomes rich, When the splendor of his house is increased; 17 For when he dies, he will take nothing with him; His wealth will not descend after him. 18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself— And though people praise you when you do well for yourself— 19 He will go to the generation of his fathers; They will never see the light. 20 Mankind in its splendor, yet without understanding, Is like the animals that perish.

And this knowledge and understanding of the things of God manifest themselves as Christ in us, our hope of glory. 

Colossians 2:1-3

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 1:25-27

25 I was made a minister of this church according to the commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The rich man was kept distracted by the deceitfulness of his wealth (thorny soil) and did not produce any Christ-like fruits to maturity (good soil). As our Father takes away our lusts and pleasures, He’s making sure we do not become spiritual “goats” who bear the fruits of selfishness and greed. Although the rich man was a descendant of Abraham, one of God’s own people, He proved himself to be a goat by neglecting Lazarus. By neglecting Lazarus, he was neglecting Jesus himself.

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either.’ 46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

As our Father helps us die to our lusts and worldly passions, we are better equipped to use the things we do have for the benefit of others. Our hearts are no longer geared toward material things but the lives of those who can benefit from them. We are proving ourselves to be sheep as we keep the second commandment through the first. We are loving others out of our love for our Father and His love for us. By this, we bear the fruits of Jesus, proving we are sheep and not goats.

1 John 4:19

19 We love, because He first loved us.

Luke 3:7-14

7 So he was saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore produce fruits that are consistent with repentance, and do not start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children for Abraham. 9 But indeed the axe is already being laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what are we to do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The one who has two tunics is to share with the one who has none; and the one who has food is to do likewise.” 12 Now even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what are we to do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14 And soldiers also were questioning him, saying, “What are we to do, we as well?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone, nor harass anyone, and be content with your wages.”

In keeping the commandments of God after our born again moment, we are seeking entry into our Father’s eternal kingdom as sheep who practice righteousness, producing the fruits of Jesus’ nature and character through obedience.

Luke 10:25-28

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

1 John 3:6-10

6 No one who remains in Him sins continually; no one who sins continually has seen Him or knows Him. 7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who has been born of God practices sin, because His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin continually, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother and sister.

Just like the rich man, we too will be taken in our Father’s timing. We won’t know when it is, which is all the more reason our Father saves us from our lusts and instructs us to live for the body instead of ourselves. Jesus gives us yet another parable to demonstrate the tragic end of those who practice greed instead of keeping their minds in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, seeking the things of God.

Luke 12:13-21

13 Now someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “You there—who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over the two of you?” 15 But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. 19 And I will say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ 21 Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”

One of the conditions for being a disciple of Christ is being willing to relinquish ownership of what we have by considering everything we have as an opportunity to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters.

Luke 14:33

 33 So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.

We must learn to overcome our lustful cravings, which our Father defines as greedy practices. Otherwise, we would find ourselves, in our hearts, turning away from conquering our “Promise Land” and back toward the world of carnal man so those greedy cravings would be satisfied.

Numbers 11:4-6

4 Now the rabble who were among them had greedy cravings; and the sons of Israel also wept again and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we used to eat for free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna!”

And there will be many of us who fall for the lie that our Father is willing to watch us and our families be overtaken in our spiritual wilderness when He removes our lusts and dependency on the world. They will lose trust in our Father’s ability to provide, and seek to return to the world of carnal man instead of remaining in their wilderness for the sake of overcoming our “Promise Land”.

Numbers 14:1-4

1 Then all the congregation raised their voices and cried out, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the entire congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or even if we had died in this wilderness! 3 So why is the Lord bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder! Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and return to Egypt!”

We must remember Lot’s wife, who as an example to us, turned back to Sodom, which is another picture of the world with its things. She did not want to lose her first born natured life in exchange for her second born natured life. She too had greedy cravings and so turned back to the world of carnal man.

Luke 17:32-33

32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever strives to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will keep it. 

Genesis 19:17-26

17 When they had brought them outside, one (the angel sent to retrieve Lot and his family) said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the surrounding area; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.” 18 But Lot said to them, “Oh no, my lords! 19 Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your compassion, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die; 20 now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) so that my life may be saved.” 21 And he said to him, “Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken. 22 Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the town was named Zoar. 23 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the surrounding area, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

If we too choose to look back to the world and all its engagements and provisions, we would open up an opportunity to return and end up like Lot’s wife. Therefore, we must keep our eyes forward, not on this life with its lusts and pleasures, but on the life to come as an eventual exchange. We give up this life now for Heaven later.

Hebrews 11:15-16

15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

What we should be striving for is contentment in all circumstances, whether we have much or little. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Philippians 4:10-13

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. 11 Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Our godliness becomes a means of great gain if accompanied with contentment. Our contentment should go as far as even being okay with only having food and covering. Those who pursue worldly gains and riches fall into a temptation and a trap, which leads to destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, which leads people away from the faith, piercing themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The goal is to seek our death towards our greedy cravings, walk in “the perseverance of Jesus,” and rely on our Father to provide as we seek the things which are from above. In doing so, we begin to enter into an economy of giving and receiving with one another as the rich man and the rich fool failed to do as we discussed previously. In this way, all needs will be met just as they were for the church of Antioch. Entering into this sort of economy leads to great spiritual profit on the account of those who participate.

Philippians 4:14-17

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account. 

Our charitable gifts to those in need are fragrant aromas, acceptable sacrifices, and pleasing to our Father.

Philippians 4:18

18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

And here is our promise that will lead us into this sort of economy of giving and receiving. If we truly take this promise by faith, our fear of being without will melt away.

Philippians 4:19-20

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The God who provided for the 600,000 Israelites in the wilderness is the same God whose power is more than sufficient to provide for us who wait for His faithfulness of provision.

Numbers 11:21-23

21 But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am included, are six hundred thousand on foot! Yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.’ 22 Are flocks and herds to be slaughtered for them, so that it will be sufficient for them? Or are all the fish of the sea to be caught for them, so that it will be sufficient for them?” 23 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s power too little? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.”

Therefore, we lean into our Father and His provisions, trusting that He knows what we need. We must stop worrying about how our needs will be met, even to the point of surrendering fear of whether or not we will be fed everyday. Pagans run after these things, but our Father knows we need them.

Matthew 6:25-32

25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

As long as we are seeking first His kingdom and righteousness (which is our sanctification and new, Christ-like living in all purity and holiness), He will provide for all our needs as we leave this world and its lusts behind and press forward towards our “Promise Land” - a land free of our sin nature and full of the fruits of Christ.

Matthew 6:33-34

33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

For the blameless won’t know a day of hunger as our Father Himself sustains the righteous.

Psalm 37:16-19

16 Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the Lord sustains the righteous. 18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless, And their inheritance will be forever. 19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, And in the days of famine they will have plenty.

For everything in the world is our Father’s to give to whomever He desires to.

Psalm 24:1-2

The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who live in it. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

It’s our Father who makes one rich and the other poor.

1 Samuel 2:7

7 The Lord makes poor and rich; He humbles, He also exalts.

Proverbs 22:2

2 The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the Maker of them all.

So if we find ourselves giving up the things of this world, even the things we hold most dear, for the sake of seeking His kingdom and righteousness, He promises to give us much more than that which we give up. All that and eternal life.

Matthew 19:27-29

27 Then Peter responded and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms on account of My name, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

But as a godly people seeking to detach from this world and its engagements and provisions, we are given this same promise but also at the expectation of persecutions.

Mark 10:28-30

28 Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and have followed You.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

For all those who wish to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted for it.

2 Timothy 3:12

12 Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

And this because bearing our crosses is foolishness to the persecutors, the carnal in nature, those who are perishing. Yet, for those who are being saved, it is the power of our Father.

1 Corinthians 1:18

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

No one can be a disciple of Christ unless they bear their crosses daily, dying to their carnal nature, the nature who pursues all these greedy cravings to satisfy their lusts, and this at the expense of helping their neighbor.

Luke 9:23

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

For those whose pursuit is to gain the world with a love for all its luxuries are spiritually dead and will lose their eternal life. However, if we die to this life, we will secure our eternal lives.

1 Timothy 5:6

6 But she who indulges herself in luxury is dead, even while she lives.

Luke 9:24-25

24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it. 25 For what good does it do a person if he gains the whole world, but loses or forfeits himself?

Whoever proves to be ashamed of living this way, the son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in His glory.

Luke 9:26 (continued from Luke 9:24-25 from above)

26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

Those who don’t want to participate in providing for their own, especially those within their household have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:8

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

And those who hold firmly to the hope of their calling to overcome this world are a part of that household we are to give to and receive from. That household is a spiritual household made up of all our spiritual brothers and sisters, not just our physical ones.

Hebrews 3:1-6

1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.

And as we give to this household we belong to, we are expected to give not based on what we have, but according to our voluntary willingness. Even in deep poverty, what we give will be a holy and acceptable sacrifice to our Father as long as it’s given charitably. By doing so, we will be proving our love for each other.

2 Corinthians 8:1-8

1 Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave voluntarily, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. 7 But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this gracious work. 8 I am not saying this as a command, but as proving, through the earnestness of others, the sincerity of your love as well.

For our Father can do much with very little.

Matthew 15:32-38

32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” 33 The disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”35 And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; 36 and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. 38 And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

And the less we have, the more He provides.

John 6:1-14

1 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).2 A large crowd was following Him, because they were watching the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.3 But Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.5 So Jesus, after raising His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?”6 But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do.7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, for each to receive just a little!”8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?”10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.11 Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted.12 And when they had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.”13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

And sometimes, the greatest honor goes to those who give barely anything at all. Our givings are a matter of faith in our Father’s faithfulness, as we walk in the “perseverance of Jesus.”

Mark 12:41-44

41 And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large amounts. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two lepta coins, which amount to a quadrans (which converts to roughly one penny). 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

As we mimic the walk of Jesus, we must be transformed in our thinking, being willing to give according to our ability for the equality of the body. For when we give to others today, others would be willing to give to us tomorrow. In that way, no one would have too much nor too little.

2 Corinthians 8:9-15

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the willingness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the relief of others and for your hardship, but by way of equality— 14 at this present time your abundance will serve as assistance for their need, so that their abundance also may serve as assistance for your need, so that there may be equality; 15 as it is written: “The one who had gathered much did not have too much, and the one who had gathered little did not have too little.”

Those who give grudgingly do so out of greediness, not truly wanting to give what they have.

2 Corinthians 9:5

5 So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they go on ahead to you and arrange in advance your previously promised generous gift, that the same would be ready as a generous gift, and not as one grudgingly given due to greediness.

But in order to overcome this greediness in exchange for a love for giving, we are given more promises. This is in order that what we do give would be from a cheerful heart as we begin to believe that God is able to make all grace overflow to those who give.

2 Corinthians 9:6-9

6 Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written: “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.”

And as we place more of our trust in our Father’s hand of provision by proof of giving generously without compulsion, thanksgiving will overflow to our Father by those who receive. In the same way, it will also produce thanksgiving in us when we receive in return. This will all result in an increase in our righteousness that is by faith.

2 Corinthians 9:10-15

10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

When we trust our Father, it not only results in thankfulness toward Him, but worship, regardless of what we have been given, or what has been taken. It allows us to develop an attitude like Job’s - a very wealthy man who, like Paul, learned how to live in prosperity, while also knowing how to live in need.

Job 1:13-22

13 Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three units and made a raid on the camels and took them, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20 Then Job got up, tore his robe, and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God.