1. GOD CAN SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS:

A. He has promised to supply our needs:

Phi.4:19 – God shall supply all your need according to His riches
Mat.6:33 – Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…& all these things shall be added unto you
Psa.23:1 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack)
Psa.34:10 – They that seek Lord shall not (lack) any good thing
Psa.37:25 – I (have) not seen righteous forsaken…begging bread
Mat.7:7-11 – Every one that asketh receiveth…your Father (shall) give good things to them that ask Him
Rom.8:32 – He that spared not His Own Son…shall He not also freely give us all things?
(See also Deut.2:7; Psa.68:19; 81:10; Mal.3:10; Mat. 6:8,25-34.)

B. God is the source of all supply:

Psa.145:15,16 – Thou openest Thine hand, & satisfiest the desire of every living thing
1Chr.29:14 – All things come of Thee, & of Thine Own have we given Thee
Psa.104:13-15 – He causeth…herb (to grow) for man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth
Jam.1:17 – Every good gift…is from above, & cometh from (God)
(See also Psa.65:9-13; Gen.1:29; 9:3.)

C. He owns the entire world:

Exo.19:5 – All the earth is Mine
Psa.24:1 – The earth is the Lord’s, & the fulness thereof
Psa.50:10,11 – Every beast is Mine…& the cattle upon a thousand hills
Psa.89:11 – The earth is Thine: the world & the fulness thereof

2. GOD CAN DO MIRACLES TO SUPPLY:

Num.11:21-23 – [God promised meat for a month, Moses doubted it, so] the Lord said, `Is the Lord’s hand waxed short?’
2Ki.4:1-6 – [The prophet's widow borrowed vessels & they miraculously filled with enough oil to pay her debts]

A. Food:

Exo.16:12-15 – [God miraculously supplied quail & manna in desert]
Num.11:18-20 – [God sent a month's supply of quail] (See vs.31,32)
Psa.78:23-29 – He opened the doors of Heaven, & rained down manna…corn of Heaven…angel’s food…meat to the full (See also Psa.105:40)
Psa.132:15 – I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread
1Ki.17:4 – I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there
1Ki.17:16 – The barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail [during the 3-1/2 year famine]
1Ki.19:5-8 – An angel said unto (Elijah), “Arise & eat”…& behold, a cake baken on the coals, & a cruse of water
2Ki.4:42,43 – [Elisha fed 100, multiplying 20 loaves & some corn]
Mk.6:34-44 – [Jesus fed 5,000, multiplying 5 loaves & 2 fishes. 5,000 men, besides women & children Mat.14:21]
Mk.8:1-9 – [Jesus fed 4,000, multiplying 7 loaves]
Rev.12:6,14 – [Church "fed, nourished" 3-1/2 years in wilderness]
(See also Psa.23:5; Lk.5:4-7; Jn.21:5,6,11.)

B. Water:

Gen.21:14-19 – [Hagar dying of thirst, God showed her a well]
Exo.17:1-6 – [At Horeb, the Lord brought water out of a rock]
Num.20:2,7-11 – [At Meribah, God again brought water from a rock]
Judg.15:15-19 – [God supplied water from a jawbone for Samson]
2Ki.3:9,17,20 – [God miraculously supplied water for an army]
(See also Psa.78:15,16; 105:41; Isa.41:17,18.)

C. God can even purify impure food & water:

Exo.15:23-25 – [Bitter waters of Marah miraculously made sweet]
2Ki.2:19-22 – [Undrinkable waters of Jericho healed]
2Ki.4:38-41 – [Poisonous gourd in the pottage rendered harmless]
(See also Mk.16:18a)

D. Clothing & other necessities:

Deut.29:5 – I have led you 40 years…your clothes are not waxen old…thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot
Mat.6:25,26, 30 – If God clothe the grass…shall He not…clothe you?
(See also Gen.3:21)

3. SUPPLY DURING FAMINE:

A. Sore famines predicted in the last days:

Mat.24:3,7 – [In] the end of the world…there shall be famines…in diverse places
Mk.13:8b – There shall be famines & troubles

B. The Lord promises to feed us during famines:

Job 5:19,20 – In famine He (God) shall redeem thee from death
Psa.33:18,19 – The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him…to keep them alive in famine
Psa.37:18,19 – The Lord knoweth the days of the upright…in the days of famine they shall be satisfied
Pro.10:3 – The Lord will not suffer (allow)…the righteous to famish
Ezk.36:29b,30 – I will increase (the corn), & lay no famine upon you. I will multiply the fruit of the tree, &…of the field

C. He usually warns His people so they can make preparations:

Gen.41:25-36, 47-49 – [God showed Joseph & Pharaoh that a famine was coming & they prepared for it by storing away food
Acts 11:27-30 - [God warned that a dearth was coming, & believers sent relief money to their affected brethren]
(See also Amos 3:7)

4. CONDITIONS TO GOD’S SUPPLY:

A. We must please God & be obedient:

Mat.6:33 – Seek first…& all things shall be added unto you
2Chr.1:7-12 – [God gave King Solomon fabulous riches & wealth when he sought the good of the kingdom first]
Psa.34:9 – There is no want (lack) to them that fear Him
Psa.34:10 – They that seek Lord shall not (lack) any good thing
Psa.37:3 – Do good…& verily thou shalt be fed
Psa.37:18,19 – The Lord knoweth…the upright…in the days of famine they shall be satisfied
Psa.37:25 – I have been young, & now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken…begging bread
Psa.84:11 – No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly
Pro.13:25 – Righteous eateth to satisfying… wicked shall (lack)
Isa.1:19 – If ye be willing & obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land
1Jn.3:22 – Whatsoever we ask, we receive…because we keep His commandments, & do…things…pleasing in His sight
(See also Deut.11:10-15; 29:9; Psa.111:5.)

B. Examples of obeying & doing our part first:

1Ki.17:2-5 – Get thee hence…& hide by the brook Cherith…ravens feed thee there. So he went
1Ki.17:9,10 – Arise, get thee to Zarephath. So he arose & went
2Ki.4:1-6 – Go borrow…of all thy neighbours empty vessels, borrow not a few. So she went & (did)
Mat.17:27 – Go cast an hook, & take up the fish…thou shalt find a piece of money (in his mouth)
Lk.5:4-6 – Launch out into the deep, & let down your nets
Jn.2:1-10 – Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them
Jn.11:39 – Take (roll) ye away the stone
Jn.21:5,6 – Cast the net on right side of the ship…They cast

C. Pray, believe God’s Word & depend on Him to supply:

Mat.7:7 – Ask, & it shall be given; knock, & it shall be opened
Mat.21:22 – All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive
Heb.11:6 – He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him
(See also 2Chr.26:5; Isa.45:11; Mat.9:29.)

D. Remember to thank Him for supplying:

Psa.68:19 – Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits
Psa.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 or disobedience:

Jer.5:25 – Your sins have withholden good things from you
(See also Psa.81:15,16; Jam.4:3.)

B. Lack of faith or failure to ask the Lord:

Jam.4:2 – Ye have not, because ye ask not
Jam.1:6,7 – [Wavering & not asking in faith]

C. Laziness:

2Thes.3:10 – If any would not work, neither should he eat
Pro.13:4 – The soul of the sluggard desireth, & hath nothing
Pro.20:4 – Sluggard will not plow…therefore shall have nothing
Pro.21:25 – The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour (See also Pro.23:21)

D. To keep us dependent upon God & His supply:

Deut.31:20 – When they…have eaten & filled themselves, & waxen fat; then will they turn to other gods
Pro.30:8,9 – Give me (not) riches…lest I be full & deny Thee
(See also 1Tim.6:10,17; Rev.3:17-19.)

E. To show us that it’s time to move:

1Ki.17:7-9 – [When the brook dried, it was time for Elijah to move]
(See also Gen.26:1-3; 45:6-11; Ruth 1:1-6,16-18; 2Ki.8:1,2.)

6. GOD LOVES YOU & WANTS TO SUPPLY:

A. He knows what you need & is looking after you:

Mat.6:8 – Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him
Mat.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 unbelieving World…

(See Mat.5:45; Acts 14:15b-17.)

C. If He even provides the needs of animals…

(See Gen.1:30; 6:14-22; Psa.104:21,26-28; 147:8,9.)

D….Won’t He much more care for you?

(See Mat.6:26,30; Psa.34:10; 145:15,16; 2Cor.9:8.)

7. DOING WHAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPLY:

A. Our responsibility to provide:

1Tim.5:8 – If any provide not for…those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, & is worse than an infidel

B. Working for our needs:

Acts 20:35 – How that labouring ye ought to support the weak
Eph.4:28 – Let him labour, working w/ his hands thing which is good
1Thes.4:11,12 – Work with your own hands…that ye may lack nothing
2Thes.3:10-12 – Some work not at all…If any would not work, neither should he eat
Tit.3:14 – Let ours learn to maintain good works (profess honest trades) for necessary uses
(See also Gen.41:39-44; Dan.2:48,49; 6:1-3; 8:27.)

C. Missionaries occasionally take on secular jobs:

Acts 18:1-3 – [Paul temporarily made tents to support himself] (See also Acts 20:34; 1Cor.4:12.)

D. God blesses diligent, hard work:

Gen.31:38-40 – [Jacob's sample of diligent shepherding]
Gen.39:1-6 – [God blessed Joseph's hard work] (See also vs. 20-23)
Pro.10:4 – The hand of the diligent maketh rich (See also Pro.13:4; 22:29; 21:25; Eccl.5:18.)
Pro.28:19 – He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread, but he that followeth vain persons…poverty
Mat.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:

Gen.47:1-6 – [Pharaoh gave the best land in Egypt, Goshen, to Joseph's father & brothers]
1Ki.18:3,13 – [Governor Obadiah risked his life to save & feed 100 of the Lord's prophets]
2Ki.4:8-11 – [Rich woman of Shunem supplied food & lodging for Elisha & his servant]
Neh.2:7,8 – [King Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission to take as much timber as he needed from the king's forest]
Jer.37:15-21 – [King Zedekiah defied Jeremiah's enemies & commanded Jeremiah be given bread continually]
Dan.2:48,49 – [King Nebuchadnezzar gives Daniel power & "many great gifts", & gave his friends high positions]
Lk.8:1-3 – [Joanna & other wealthy women helped support Jesus]
(See also Rom.16:23; Phlm.1,2,7,22.)

B. Don’t abuse others’ generosity:

1Cor.7:31 – They that use this world, as not abusing it

C. God’s workers to be supported by those to whom they minister:

Mat.10:9,10 – Provide neither gold, nor silver in your purses…for the workman is worthy of his meat
1Cor.9:7-14 – The Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel
2Ki.4:42 – A man…brought (Elisha) bread of the firstfruits, 20 loaves & corn [to feed his 100 disciples]
Lk.22:35 – When I sent you without purse…lacked ye any thing? And they said, “Nothing.”
1Tim.5:18 – Shalt not muzzle ox that treadeth the corn. The labourer is worthy of his hire (See Deut.25:4; Lk.10:7.)
(See also Acts 28:7-10)

D. Staying as a guest at someone’s house:

Mat.10:11 – In whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who is worthy; & there abide
Lk.10:7,8 – In the same house remain, eating (what) they give
(See also 1Ki.17:8-16,24; Acts 10:5,6; 16:14,15; 17:5,7; 18:2,3,7; Rom.16:23a; Phlm.22.)

E. But don’t overstay your welcome:

Pro.25:17 – Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee; & so hate thee

F. Accepting invitations to a meal:

Mat.9:9,10 – [Jesus & disciples ate with Matthew] (See also Lk.5:29)
Lk.7:36 – One of the Pharisees desired that He would eat with him
Lk.19:1-6 – [Jesus invited Himself to eat at Zacchaeus' house]
1Cor.10:27 – If any (unbelievers) bid you to a feast, & ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat

G. Refusing invitations to a meal:

1Ki.13:7-9,15-17 – [Young prophet ordered by God to refuse invitations] (See also vs. 18-24)
Pro.15:17 – Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than (steak) & hatred therewith (See also Dan.1:5,8,12-16)
Pro.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 4:34,35 – Distribution was made unto every man…as he had need
Acts 11:29 – Every man according to his ability…(sent) relief
2Cor.8:12-14 – That…your abundance may be a supply for their want (lack)…that there may be equality
2Cor.8:15 – He that gathered much had nothing over; & he that gathered little had no lack (See Exo.16:18)

9. GIVING TO GOD’S WORK:

A. God can even use unbelievers to give to His people:

Job 27:16,17 – Though he heap up silver…innocent shall divide (it)…prepare raiment…but the just shall put it on
Psa.2:8 – Ask…I shall give the heathen for thine inheritance
Pro.21:1 – King’s heart is in hand of the Lord…He turneth it
Psa.105:44 – (He) gave them lands of the heathen: & they inherited the labour of the people (heathen)
Pro.13:22 – The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just
Eccl.2:26 – To the sinner He giveth travail, to gather & to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God
Isa.23:18 – Her merchandise shall be…for [servants of] the Lord, to eat sufficiently, & for durable clothing

B. Examples of the need to ask:

1Sam.25:2-8 – [David sent men to ask Nabal, a great & rich but wicked man, to donate food to him & his men]
1Sam.25:7,8 – [David explained the good work his men have done]
1Sam.27:5-7 – [David asked for place to stay for 16 months]
Mk.11:1-7 – [Jesus' disciples requested a donkey for Him to ride]
Mk.14:12-16 – [Jesus' disciples asked for the use of an upper room, already furnished & prepared]
Lk.5:1-3 – [Jesus asked for the use of a boat to preach from]
Jn.4:6,7 – [Jesus asked for a drink of water]

10. GOD PROMISES TO PROSPER OUR WORK & BUSINESSES:

A. Financially:

Deut.28:1-13 – [Mighty promises of prosperity to the faithful]
Psa.112:1,3 – Blessed is the man…that delighteth greatly in His commandments…wealth shall be in his house
Pro.10:22 – Blessing of the Lord maketh rich, He addeth no sorrow

B. Other ways God prospers His people:

(See Gen.39:2; Lev.26:3-13; Deut.29:9; 30:9; 2Chr.26:5; Psa.107:35-38; 127:3-5; Isa.3:10; Ezk.34:26; Acts 14:17.)

11. GOD SUPPLIES OUR NEEDS, NOT ALWAYS OUR WANTS:

A. Be content & do not desire more than you need:

Lk.12:15 – Beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consisteth not in abundance of things which he possesseth
1Tim.6:6-8 – Godliness with contentment is great gain…having food & raiment let us be therewith content
Phi.4:11 – I have learned, in whatever state I am…to be content
Heb.13:5 – Let your (life) be without covetousness; & be content with such things as ye have
Psa.37:16 – A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked
Pro.15:16 – Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure & trouble therewith
Pro.30:8 – Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me
2Cor.6:10 – As poor…having nothing, & yet possessing all things
(See also Psa.62:10b; Psa.119:36; Pro.17:1; 23:5.)

B. Dangers of discontent & murmuring:

Exo.16:3 – [Longing for fleshpots of Egypt, & complaining that God will let them die of hunger]
Num.21:5,6 – [The people complained against & loathe the manna & were attacked by fiery serpents]
1Sam.15:3,9, 22,23 [Saul disobeyed God's orders to utterly destroy, saving the best of the goods. God rejected Saul as king]
Psa.73:3-20 – [Warning not to envy the prosperity of worldly wicked]
Psa.78:15-21 – [Israelites miraculously received water, then doubtingly murmured for meat. God angrily judged them]

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