Supply
1. GOD CAN SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS:
A. He has promised to supply our needs:
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want [lack]
Psalm 34:10 They that seek the Lord shall not [lack] any good thing
Psalm 37:25 I [have] not seen righteous forsaken … begging bread
Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God … and all these things shall be added unto you
Matthew 7:7–11 Every one that asketh receiveth … your Father [shall] give good things to them that ask him
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own son … shall he not also freely give us all things?
Philippians 4:19 God shall supply all your need according to his riches
(See also Deuteronomy 2:7; Psalm 68:19; 81:10; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 6:8,25–34.)
B. God is the source of all supply:
1 Chronicles 29:14 All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee
Psalm 104:13–15 He causeth … herb [to grow] for man: that he may bring forth good out of the earth
Psalm 145:15–16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing
James 1:17 Every good gift … is from above, and cometh from [God]
(See also Psalm 65:9–13; Genesis 1:29; 9:3.)
C. He owns the entire world:
Exodus 19:5 All the earth is mine
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof
Psalm 50:10–11 Every beast is mine … and the cattle upon a thousand hills
Psalm 89:11 The earth is thine: the world and the fullness thereof
2. GOD CAN DO MIRACLES TO SUPPLY:
Numbers 11:21–23 [God promised meat for a month, Moses doubted it, so] the Lord said, “Is the Lord’s hand waxed short?”
2 Kings 4:1–6 [The prophet’s widow borrowed vessels and they miraculously filled with enough oil to pay her debts]
A. Food:
Exodus 16:12–15 [God miraculously supplied quail and manna in desert]
Numbers 11:18–20 [God sent a month’s supply of quail] (See also 11:31–32.)
Psalm 78:23–29 He opened the doors of heaven, and rained down manna … corn of heaven … angel’s food … meat to the full (See also Psalm 105:40.)
Psalm 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread
1 Kings 17:4 I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there
1 Kings 17:16 The barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail [during the 3½-year famine]
1 Kings 19:5–8 An angel said unto [Elijah], “Arise and eat” … and behold, a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water
2 Kings 4:42–43 [Elisha fed 100, multiplying 20 loaves and some corn]
Mark 6:34–44 [Jesus fed 5,000 men, besides women and children, by multiplying five loaves and two fishes] (See also Matthew 14:21.)
Mark 8:1–9 [Jesus fed 4,000, multiplying seven loaves]
Revelation 12:6,14 [Church “fed, nourished” for 3½ years in the wilderness]
(See also Psalm 23:5; Luke 5:4–7; John 21:5–6,11.)
B. Water:
Genesis 21:14–19 [Hagar dying of thirst, God showed her a well]
Exodus 17:1–6 [At Horeb, God brought water out of a rock]
Numbers 20:2,7–11 [At Meribah, God again brought water from a rock]
Judges 15:15–19 [God supplied water from a jawbone for Samson]
2 Kings 3:9,17,20 [God miraculously supplied water for an army]
(See also Psalm 78:15–16; 105:41; Isaiah 41:17–18.)
C. God can even purify impure food and water:
Exodus 15:23–25 [Bitter waters of Marah miraculously made sweet]
2 Kings 2:19–22 [Undrinkable waters of Jericho healed]
2 Kings 4:38–41 [Poisonous gourd in the pottage rendered harmless]
(See also Mark 16:18.)
D. Clothing and other necessities:
Deuteronomy 29:5 I have led you forty years … your clothes are not waxen old … thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot
Matthew 6:25–26,30 If God clothe the grass … shall He not … clothe you?
(See also Genesis 3:21.)
3. SUPPLY DURING FAMINE:
A. Famines predicted in the last days:
Matthew 24:3,7 [In] the end of the world … there shall be famines … in diverse places
Mark 13:8 There shall be famines and troubles
B. God promises to feed us during famines:
Job 5:19–20 In famine he [God] shall redeem thee from death
Psalm 33:18–19 The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him … to keep them alive in famine
Psalm 37:18–19 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright … in the days of famine they shall be satisfied
Proverbs 10:3 The Lord will not suffer [allow] … the righteous to famish
Ezekiel 36:29–30 I will increase [the corn], and lay no famine upon you. I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and … of the field
C. He sometimes warns His people so they can make preparations:
Genesis 41:25–36,47–49 [God showed Joseph and Pharaoh that a famine was coming and they prepared for it by storing away food]
Acts 11:27–30 [God warned that a dearth was coming, and believers sent relief money to their affected brethren]
(See also Amos 3:7.)
4. CONDITIONS TO GOD’S SUPPLY:
A. We must please God and be obedient:
Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God … and all things shall be added unto you
2 Chronicles 1:7–12 [God gave King Solomon fabulous riches and wealth when he sought the good of the kingdom first]
Psalm 34:9–10 There is no want [lack] to them that fear him … They that seek Lord shall not [lack] any good thing
Psalm 37:3 Do good … and verily thou shalt be fed
Psalm 37:18–19 The Lord knoweth … the upright … in the days of famine they shall be satisfied
Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken … begging bread
Psalm 84:11 No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly
Proverbs 13:25 Righteous eateth to satisfying … wicked shall [lack]
Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land
1 John 3:22 Whatsoever we ask, we receive … because we keep his commandments, and do … things … pleasing in his sight
(See also Deuteronomy 11:10–15; 29:9; Psalm 111:5.)
B. Examples of obeying and doing our part first:
1 Kings 17:2–5 Get thee hence … and hide by the brook of Cherith … ravens feed thee there. So he went
1 Kings 17:9–10 Arise, get thee to Zarepath. So he arose and went
2 Kings 4:1–6 Go borrow … of all thy neighbours empty vessels, borrow not a few. So she went and [did]
Matthew 17:27 Go cast an hook, and take up the fish … thou shalt find a piece of money [in its mouth]
Luke 5:4–6 Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets
John 2:1–10 Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them
John 11:39 Take [roll] ye away the stone
John 21:5–6 Cast the net on right side of the ship … they cast
C. Pray, believe God’s Word, and depend on Him to supply:
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given; knock, and it shall be opened
Matthew 21:22 All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive
Hebrews 11:6 He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him
(See also 2 Chronicles 26:5; Isaiah 45:11; Matthew 9:29.)
D. Remember to thank Him for supplying:
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits
Psalm 116:12–14,17–18 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving
5. REASONS WHY WE SOMETIMES LACK:
A. Because of sin:
Jeremiah 5:25 Your sins have withholden good things from you
(See also Psalm 81:15–16; James 4:3.)
B. Lack of faith or failure to ask:
James 1:6–7 [Wavering and not asking in faith]
James 4:2 Ye have not, because ye ask not
C. Laziness:
2 Thessalonians 3:10 If any would not work, neither should he eat
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing
Proverbs 20:4 Sluggard will not plow … therefore shall have nothing
Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour (See also Proverbs 23:21.)
D. To keep us dependent upon God and His supply:
Deuteronomy 31:20 When they … have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn to other gods
Proverbs 30:8–9 Give me [not] riches … lest I be full and deny Thee
(See also 1 Timothy 6:10,17; Revelation 3:17–19.)
E. To show us that it’s time for change:
1 Kings 17:7–9 [When the brook dried, it was time for Elijah to move]
(See also Genesis 26:1–3; Ruth 1:1–6; 2 Kings 8:1–2.)
6. GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS TO SUPPLY:
A. He knows what you need and is looking after you:
Matthew 6:8 Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him
Matthew 6:25,31–32 Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or drink … [God] knoweth that ye need all these things
B. If God provides for the unbelievers …
(See Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:15–17.)
C. … if He even provides the needs of animals …
(See Genesis 1:30; 6:14–22; Psalm 104:21,26–28; 147:8–9.)
D. … won’t He much more care for you?
(See Matthew 6:26,30; Psalm 34:10; 145:15–16; 2 Corinthians 9:8.)
7. WE SHOULD DO OUR PART:
A. Our responsibility to provide:
1 Timothy 5:8 If any provide not for … those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel
B. Working for our needs:
Acts 20:35 How that labouring ye ought to support the weak
Ephesians 4:28 Let him labour, working with his hands thing which is good
1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 Work with your own hands … that ye may lack nothing
2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 Some work not at all … if any would not work, neither should he eat
Titus 3:14 Let ours learn to maintain good works [profess honest trades] for necessary uses
(See also Genesis 41:39–44; Daniel 2:48–49; 6:1–3; 8:27.)
C. God blesses diligent, hard work:
Genesis 31:38–40 [Jacob’s example of diligent shepherding]
Genesis 39:1–6 [God blessed Joseph’s hard work] (See also 39:20–23.)
Proverbs 10:4 The hand of the diligent maketh rich (See also Proverbs 13:4; 22:29; 21:25; Ecclesiastes 5:18.)
Proverbs 28:19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread, but he that followeth vain persons … poverty
Matthew 25:14–30 [The reward of the diligent servants who increased their talents]
8. WHEN GOD USES OTHERS TO SUPPLY HIS WORKERS’ NEEDS:
A. Well-off supporters often helped God’s messengers:
Genesis 47:1–6 [Pharaoh gave the best land in Egypt, Goshen, to Joseph’s father and brothers]
1 Kings 18:3,13 [Governor Obadiah risked his life to save and feed 100 of God’s prophets]
2 Kings 4:8–11 [Rich woman of Shunem supplied food and lodging for Elisha and his servant]
Nehemiah 2:7–8 [King Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission to take as much timber as he needed from the king’s forest]
Jeremiah 37:15–21 [King Zedekiah defied Jeremiah’s enemies and commanded Jeremiah be given bread continually]
Daniel 2:48–49 [King Nebuchadnezzar gives Daniel power and “many great gifts,” and gave his friends high positions]
Luke 8:1–3 [Joanna and other wealthy women helped support Jesus]
(See also Romans 16:23; Philemon 1:1–2,7,22.)
B. Don’t abuse others’ generosity:
1 Corinthians 7:31 They that use this world, as not abusing it
C. God’s workers to be supported by those to whom they minister:
2 Kings 4:42 A man … brought [Elisha] bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves and corn [to feed his 100 disciples]
Matthew 10:9-10 Provide neither gold, nor silver in your purses … for the workman is worthy of his meat
Luke 22:35 When I sent you without purse … lacked ye any thing? And they said, “Nothing.”
1 Corinthians 9:7-14 The Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel
1 Timothy 5:18 Shalt not muzzle ox that treadeth the corn. The labourer is worthy of his hire (See also Deuteronomy 25:4; Luke 10:7.)
(See also Acts 28:7–10.)
D. Staying as a guest at someone’s house:
Matthew 10:11 In whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who is worthy; and there abide
Luke 10:7–8 In the same house remain, eating [what] they give
(See also 1 Kings 17:8–16,24; Acts 10:5–6; 16:14–15; 17:5,7; 18:2–4; Romans 16:23; Philemon 1:22.)
E. But don’t overstay your welcome:
Proverbs 25:17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee; and so hate thee
F. Accepting invitations to a meal:
Matthew 9:9–10 [Jesus and disciples ate with Matthew] (See also Luke 5:29.)
Luke 7:36 One of the Pharisees desired that he would eat with him
Luke 19:1–6 [Jesus invited himself to eat at Zacchaeus’ house]
1 Corinthians 10:27 If any [unbelievers] bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat
G. Refusing invitations to a meal:
1 Kings 13:7–9,15–17 [Young prophet ordered by God to refuse invitations] (See also 13:18–24.)
Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than [steak] and hatred therewith (See also Daniel 1:5,8,12–16.)
Proverbs 23:6–8 Eat not the bread of him that hath an evil eye
H. Share amongst yourselves what God has already given you:
Acts 2:44–45 [They] parted them to all men, as every man had need
Acts 4:32 They had all things common
Acts 4:35 Distribution was made unto every man according as he had need
Acts 11:29 Every man according to his ability [sent] relief
2 Corinthians 8:12–15 That … your abundance may be a supply for their want [lack] that there may be equality … He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack (See also Exodus 16:18.)
9. GIVING TO GOD’S WORK:
1 Samuel 25:2–8 [David sent men to ask Nabal, a great and rich—but wicked—man, to donate food to him and his men]
1 Samuel 27:5,7 [David asked for place to stay for sixteen months]
Mark 11:1–7 [Jesus’ disciples requested a donkey for Him to ride]
Mark 14:12–16 [Jesus’ disciples asked for the use of an upper room, already furnished and prepared]
Luke 5:1–3 [Jesus asked for the use of a boat to preach from]
John 4:6–7 [Jesus asked for a drink of water]
10. GOD PROMISES TO PROSPER OUR WORK AND BUSINESSES:
A. Financially:
Deuteronomy 28:1–13 [Mighty promises of prosperity to the faithful]
Psalm 112:1,3 Blessed is the man … that delighteth greatly in His commandments … wealth shall be in his house
Proverbs 10:22 Blessing of the Lord maketh rich, he addeth no sorrow
B. Other ways God prospers His people:
(See Genesis 39:2; Leviticus 26:3–13; Deuteronomy 29:9; 30:9; 2 Chronicles 26:5; Psalm 107:35–38; 127:3–5; Isaiah 3:10; Ezekiel 34:26; Acts 14:17.)
11. GOD SUPPLIES OUR NEEDS, NOT ALWAYS OUR WANTS:
A. Be content and do not desire more than you need:
Psalm 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked
Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith
Proverbs 30:8 Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me
Luke 12:15 Beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consisteth not in abundance of things which he possesseth
2 Corinthians 6:10 As poor … having nothing, and yet possessing all things
Philippians 4:11 I have learned, in whatever state I am … to be content
1 Timothy 6:6-8 Godliness with contentment is great gain … having food and raiment let us be therewith content
Hebrews 13:5 Let your [life] be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have
(See also Psalm 62:10; 119:36; Proverbs 17:1; 23:5.)
B. Dangers of discontent and murmuring:
Exodus 16:3 [Longing for fleshpots of Egypt, and complaining that God will let them die of hunger]
Numbers 21:5–6 [The people complained against the manna and were attacked by fiery serpents]
1 Samuel 15:3,9,22–23 [Saul disobeyed God’s orders to utterly destroy, saving the best of the goods. God rejected Saul as king]
Psalm 73:3–20 [Warning not to envy the prosperity of worldly wicked]
Psalm 78:15–21 [Israelites miraculously received water, then doubtingly murmured for meat. God judged them]