God will provide for our needs; this is something most people know, but some become a little confused by it.

The statement does not mean that all we need to do sit on our chairs and wait for Him to give us what we need or desire, but it does mean that He is more than just mindful of our situations.   Consider the following passage from Matthew 7:

 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:9-12

Did you notice something odd about the passage?

Yes, this is from the Sermon on the Mount, and this particular passage comes within a fuller context of 7:7-12 and is about God answering prayer and providing for us.  The odd part is that Jesus added the “Golden Rule” (v. 12) at the end of this, and that is set up as a summing up. Isn’t that interesting?

There’s a connection between the two, God’s provision and answering of prayer and the manner in which we treat other people.  It seems to me that this connection is twofold:

First, secure in the knowledge that God will answer prayer and provide, we need not, in fact must not envy others who appear to us to be in better shape than we are in the area of our need.

Second, God’s children always put others first. Jesus always served God by serving others in a way that advanced God’s purpose and so must we.  The Golden Rule simply puts this into words.

What God will not do for us is to answer our selfish prayers to put us at advantage over others, for this is not the way of love. Thus, we learn that serving God in humility is our proper response to a gracious God, and that His provision will ensure that putting others first will not leave us alone and destitute.

What an awesome and amazing God we have and serve!