Introduction: There is an old saying that if we give a person a fish,
that will help for one meal. If we give them a fishing pole and
tackle, that will make the person self-sufficient. How does God take
care of us? Is He handing out fish all the time, or has He given the
universe a “fishing pole?” Although I think we can only scratch the
surface of this because of limited human understanding, God has
shared some information with us. That information guides us as we
carry on God’s work of provision for those less fortunate. Let’s jump
into our study of the Bible and see what we can learn!
- Provide and Sustain
- Read Colossians 1:16-17. This text is about Jesus. What
two roles do you see Jesus playing in our world? (He
created it – even things we cannot see. And, He continues
to “hold” the creation together.) - Read Hebrews 1:3. This adds some detail about Jesus
“holding” the creation together. How is this done? (By
“His powerful word.”) - What do you think of when you read about Jesus’
“powerful word?” (Genesis 1 – where we read that God
spoke the creation into existence.) - Read Genesis 1:29-30 and Exodus 16:14-18. What do you see
as different in these two ways God devised to sustain His
people? (One was self-sustaining. The specific reference
to “seed-bearing” highlights the means of reproduction.
The other required God’s daily provision.) - Our first two texts introduced the idea that Jesus
has a continuing role in holding the universe
together. Part of this is sustaining the creation.
What do the creation of plants and the provision of
manna teach us about God’s current role in providing
for us? (It appears to have two sides. One is a
system that is self-sustaining, and the other is a
system in which God is more actively involved.) - Is the self-sustaining idea an illusion?
- Nature of the Provision
- What do Genesis 1:29 and Exodus 16:17-18 teach us about
God’s generosity towards us? (In both situations humans
had all they needed.) - Look again at Exodus 16:17. What is your reaction to
the fact that every person had as much manna as that
person needed – regardless of the amount gathered?
(It appears that God supernaturally adjusted the
manna to the amount the person needed.) - Read Genesis 2:15-17. We discussed that the Eden approach
was self-sustaining. Is that completely true? (It
apparently required some maintenance. God gave that task
to humans.) - Why? (God wants us to participate in our support. God
has a role for us.) - Consider the implications of this. Should we
sit around and wait for God to find us a job?
Should we ignore the quality of the food we
eat? Should we be actively involved in the
state of our health? - Read Matthew 6:25-27. Does this contradict the idea
that we need to be co-laborers with God in providing
our food? (No. The point is that we should not worry.
Consider what you know about birds. They are
constantly looking for food. They clearly are co-laborers when it comes to food.) - Read Genesis 3:17-19. How did God’s role as provider and
sustainer and our role as co-laborer change after the
introduction of sin? (Our part of the job became more
difficult.) - How can you reconcile our “painful toil” obligation
with Jesus’ assurance ( Matthew 6:26-28)that He will
provide for us just like He provides for birds who
don’t sow or reap and lilies who don’t labor or spin?
(It seems a contradiction on the surface. However, I
think Jesus was making a point about worry, not a
point about whether we are obliged to work. Neither
lilies nor birds have hands.) - Read Leviticus 19:9-10. What is God’s plan for us when it
comes to feeding the poor and the aliens? (It seems that
we are co-laborers with God not only in providing for
ourselves, but also providing for the poor. The poor also
have an obligation to be co-laborers.) - Anyone have a farming background? What is the nature
of the crop at the “very edges of your field?” (It is
not as abundant. When I was a child, my folks let me
pick berries to earn money. The person in charge of
the berry picking would put me at the edge of the
field, where the yield was less, so I would not
interfere with the people who were picking berries to
make a living.) - What point do we find here about co-laboring and the
poor? (God’s plan for the poor requires them to
work.) - How is the “golden rule” ( Mark 12:31) applied here?
(This is eye-opening. The poor did not have access to
the best part of the crop. That was reserved for the
farmer who owned the land, planted the crop and
harvested it. Loving your neighbor as yourself is not
(as illustrated here) putting everyone on the same
economic level. Rather, it seems to say, “What would
be appropriate for me if our roles were reversed?”) - How have we seen that God treats His people?
(Generously.) - Read Colossians 4:1. Is this something to keep
in mind when we consider how to treat the poor?
(Yes. God is generous to us, and the suggestion
is that we need to keep in mind that the poor
and rich have a common master – God.) - As we review the Garden of Eden, the provision of Manna
during the Exodus, and the rules for aiding the poor, what
common elements do we see? (1. God is the source of the
provision. 2. Humans are co-laborers in this provision.
God places an obligation on us to work, and this
obligation has increased as a result of sin. 3. God is
generous. He provides what we need. 4. God is trustworthy,
while we need to work, we do not need to worry.) - The Provision and Evil
- Read Genesis 3:21-23. What is Adam’s task? (To work the
ground.) - Has God’s role as provider changed?
- Read Genesis 4:1-2. Is Abel violating God’s rule? He is
not working the ground, his brother Cain is working the
ground! - I don’t raise any of the food I eat. Few people I
know do. Are we violating God’s rule? - Read Genesis 3:18. What is Adam’s diet? (Plants. He is a
vegetarian.) - Read Genesis 4:3-4. Is Abel a omnivore? If he is not
eating his sheep, what is he eating? (In Genesis 9:1-3 God
gives permission to humans to eat meat. If we did not have
that information, it would seem that Abel was a meat-eater.) - As I look at God’s command to Adam (about working the
land), and the chosen work of Cain and Abel, it seems that
Cain is the one who is obeying God. Do you agree? - Read Genesis 4:3-7. Why is God telling Cain, the son who
is apparently most obedient, that he is not doing what is
right? (Now the truth comes out. If Abel were disobeying
God by his line of work, God would say it. However, Abel
is working to create sacrifices to God. Cain is working to
feed himself.) - What does that teach us about the nature of the curse
that we must work hard for food? (God is not
literally commanding that we all grow food. Rather,
He is telling us that our work, as a co-laborer with
Him in providing for us, is more difficult post-sin.) - Would this rule of difficulty apply to other aspects
of life? (Review again Genesis 3:17-19. God tells
Adam and Eve that they are going to die – return to
dust. That would not have happened if they had
trusted God and obeyed. While they live, life will
be much more difficult than it was in Eden. I think
God used work to illustrate the greater burden we
face in living.) - Friend, sin has made life more difficult. But, the good
news is that our generous God is still our Provider and
Sustainer. He demands that we be co-laborers with Him, and
the extend of our part of the labor has greatly increased
after the entry of sin. However, He asks us to trust Him
that He will meet our needs. Will you trust God today? - Next week: Marriage: A Gift from Eden.
