From Creation, To Provision, To Leftovers

From Creation-to Provision-to Leftovers
By Jerry Olson
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God said the Universe is His but He made it for his sons and daughters.

Psalms 50:10-12
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.

For the last few days, I have felt the Lord was trying to show me something. To explain in greater detail about my possessions (my stuff), the importance I place on these things, and perhaps a new or better way to consider or think about the things, that for years, I considered mine.

Ownership is a term, much like what God refers to as the traditions of men. To some this may seem like a radical statement but, for a moment, let’s divert our attention to scriptures that may help you understand this concept.

Acts 4:32, 34, 35
And the multitude of them that believed was of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

 “When a person truly knows Me”, says the Lord, “his possessions become as nothing.”

Various people around the globe live their lives without land ownership; tribes of people in Borneo, nomads in Norway, Bedouin Arabs, even many native American Indians just could not understand the white man’s concept of land ownership. Many moved around living in tents or huts, moving with the herds of game or grass available for their animals. Father Abraham lived in tents, Paul was a tent maker, which was common, and this was how he made his living.

As I pondered and thought on these things, I began to have a peace and comfort. God was showing me a new thing, an understanding and knowledge that I hadn’t known before. I started to see and experience people around me rushing to and fro, moving at a fast pace. Some were driving, some were going in and out of stores, but everyone seemed in a very big hurry, rush, rush. They did not appear to be very happy with their lives and they were not rested. Each person, that God showed me, had high stress levels and was moving around, but without real purpose. People were scurrying about in activities, with no consideration beyond the immediate task. These individuals were very busy, with their lives, but did not seem to know why they were so busy, or what life in general was all about. Had they ever stopped to consider why? They made me think about the people in Noah’s day and the way they were living right up until God brought forth much water and destroyed them all.

I thought about the scriptures where the people were asked to come to the wedding ceremony. They had an invitation, but they had other things to complete first. Their jobs or activities seemed, to them, to be more important. Some had bought new oxen that needed testing, others had family to bury. Each person had an excuse that was leveled. Their various interests and activities were more important to them, at that time.

Brethren, time is fleeting. Time and opportunity for repentance and obedience is coming to a swift end. We may not have tomorrow to get everything done that seems important to us today. I ask you, could anything be more important than seeking the face of God, and asking and wanting a relationship with our Creator who owns it all? Does striving for more stuff, bring us closer to God?

Relying on our stuff is a misplaced understanding. Wind can take a house away, water can wash a new car down the road, and individuals can steal and take from us our food and possessions. Anything we have, at any moment in time, can suddenly vanish. No amount of locks, insurance, guns or clubs can keeps our stuff safe. The days I mention here, may not be too far off.

James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

There was an occasion where Jesus had been preaching to a large group of people who had followed Him and His disciples well out into the countryside. They were many miles from their homes and markets. Some of them came to hear His words, others wanted to be healed and some came to be fed; on one or more occasions, Jesus did provide food. According to the scriptures it was late in the day, people were hungry…. we know there is more than one type of hunger, some hunger and thirst for food, some for stuff and others for righteousness.

In the following scripture storyline we see that Jesus did not dismiss the people and send them away, but Jesus had them sit down and He gave them food. He was not required to do so, He was under no obligation, but He cares for everyone. Furthermore, the scriptures state, that Jesus was more than enough, we see Him providing more than our needs.

John 6:6-13
And Jesus knew what He would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said unto him, there is a lad here, which has five barley loaves, and two small fishes: and Jesus said, make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in numbers about five thousand and Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with fragments of the barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

Surely we understand our Lord Jesus is the only thing we need. And furthermore: would God our dear and wonderful Father hold back, from His beloved children, anything that we need? If we were to put God first and become obedient to Him, our provision would always be provided. We would not be denied anything and with Jesus there are always leftovers.

Blessings,

Jerry
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For further reference on, “Ownership is a term, much like what God refers to as the traditions of men,” look at Paul’s writing in 1Corinthians 12.

Other scriptures you may want to refer to: Psalm 39:12, Jeremiah 44:28, Hebrews 11:13, James 5:1-3, Matthew 15:36, Mark 6:43 and Luke 9;16-17.

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