Vision above Provision

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” – Matthew 6:33

It is not provision that guides a Christian. It is vision that guides while provision is added. But if we let provision be our guide, we chase the gift over pursuing the giver. Whether it is to provide for oneself or ones family, provision should never take the place of vision itself. “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:5). God is our Provider and providing is His nature. If we make provision our priority in any decision, we do not trust God and we walk without vision. But if we pursue the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we allow God to be who He is; our Provider.

“Looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:25). When Jesus endured the cross, it was the joy set before Him that empowered Him. The joy of salvation for all who believe in Him, the purpose of His life, was on the forefront of His mind. This vision He carried was not depended upon provision, but based on the heart of God. In no way was Jesus contemplating how provision may come for Himself while being hung on a cross. “Whoever says He abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked” (1John 2:6). As Jesus walked with no concern of provision, so should we set the joy of His kingdom and His righteousness before us.

“Foxes have their holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). Jesus said this to a person suggesting to follow Him. It is profound to see the words of Jesus as He had very little concern towards provision. Did He ever sleep anywhere? Of course (Matthew 8:24). The point He was making was that in order to follow Him, we must acknowledge our home is with the Father and our life is a living sacrifice for the world to know Him.

“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything? They said, ‘Nothing’” (Luke 22:35). There was a time when Jesus intensionally sent out His disciples with nothing to provide for themselves; not even SANDALS! He did this to prove the Father’s provision in their lives that they need not worry about their own provision. To this they testified that they lacked “nothing.” “But now let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a knapsack. and let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36). After proving the Father’s provision, He sent them with their belongings while their security remained in the Father.

Provision is a good thing. It comes from a God who cares for His children. But if His children find their security in the things He gives over their intimacy with Him, their hearts are far from Him. “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:5). This verse is repeated to emphasize the importance of not only committing our way to the Lord, but also trusting in Him. We might commit our lives to Him, but if we don’t trust Him, what good does that do? By trusting Him, we have confidence in who He is. If we have confidence in Him as the Provider, we make our decisions based on the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing He will provide for everything else.