If God says, "Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you," and also says all the flowers, animals and birds are provided for, why does he actually allow a true believer to live in lack and doesn't provide for us at all? We seek His kingdom sincerely but still struggle in lack.

February 15th 2024 | 44707 views 

When a general statement is made, it is important to understand the context and the Divine intention behind the statement.

The verses in Matthew 6:25-33 illustrate that God has the ABILITY to supply every need in the animal and plant creation. But He chooses to use this creative ability on our behalf as Christians according to His far-seeing spiritual wisdom and love. There is no need to be anxious because we know He is able to provide all we need, and He will provide all we need according to our deepest spiritual need for experience and growth. 

We see from the example of Job that God can permit significant hardship and lack in the lives of those who love Him.

Job 1:13-19 records some very difficult events in Job’s life, involving the death of his oxen, donkeys and servants (needed to provide plowing for purpose of farming), the death of his sheep and his camels and still more servants, and then the death of his children. Job’s response was notably full of faith: Job 1:20-22: “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And 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.’ Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”

We have promises that our needs will to be supplied, and the provision is always according to far-seeing riches of Divine wisdom, love and power. 

Philippians 4:19: "My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." 

When He permits a lack or difficulty, He has an intention to help our Christian character to grow. The most important needs of a Christian are spiritual.

James 1:2-4: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Blessings and provision are for the main purpose of being equipped to be able to fulfill his will for us in the blessing of others. 2 Corinthians 9:8: "God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work."

When we look at the life of the Apostle Paul, we see that he grew spiritually and developed contentment in every situation, especially amid lack. 

Philippians 4:11-13: ..."I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in. I know how be humbled, and I know how to prosper. In each and every situation I have learned the secret of being full and of going hungry, of having too much and of having too little. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

We don’t always understand the difficulties and lacks in our life—

Job 2:8-10: “Behold, I go forward but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him…

But God has a deep and loving purpose for the refinement of our faith and character through the ‘fire’ of the lacks and difficulties. 

Job 2:10: “But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” 

May we trust His ability to provide what is most needed amid every experience, whether it be abundant blessing or lack.

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1176: "Does God REALLY Want Me to Suffer?"
Putting our personal sufferings into context with God's plan
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CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1277: "Will the World's Pain and Suffering Ever End?"
Biblically answering the hard questions about humanity's brokenness
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CQ Rewind Show Notes

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