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Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Supply Chain Economy

Capitalism works on supply and demand. Christianity does not. Paul wrote,
My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:19)
Now, I've often heard it said, "Never use 'always'." Superlatives are rarely accurate. "None," "all," "never," "always," ... those kinds of things. So it is almost jarring to see Paul claim that God will supply all your needs. "All, Paul. Really?" That's what he said. Not some. Not most. All. Over in Romans, he said something equally effusive.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Rom 8:32)
Now, this time, the "all" refers to "all things that He gives us" as opposed to a blanket "all things", sure, but notice the measure Paul uses. "He who did not spare His own Son." If God did not spare His own Son, what will He refuse us? He will always give us the very best. He will certainly supply all our needs.

Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). So why do we so often live an impoverished Christian life? Why do we worry about making ends meet? Why do we hold back in case we give away something we might need later? Like funds or reputation or ...? Why are we so often stingy with what God has given us? Like spiritual gifts (given for the Body (1 Cor 12:7)) or grace or mercy which we embrace warmly and hold back from others? Christianity is not a supply and demand economy. It's a "God will supply all" economy. Do we believe that?

1 comment:

Lorna said...

“God will supply all.” This is certainly comforting, especially when we can’t know the future--nor the “supply” or our “demand” within it. As we travel around the country, my husband and I pass a lot of cows along the way (and I mean a lot!); we regularly remark that “God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.” (I always think, “great; we’ll never run out of meat, milk, and leather.”) Of course, God owns everything and can provide for my needs with no difficulty. The most important things are the spiritual riches He alone possesses and freely gives me. “What, me worry?”