A devotional by Alexis Newlin
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”
–Luke 12:22-24 (ESV)
Have you ever dealt with lack?
In Luke 12:13-21, there is a parable about a rich farmer who had an over abundant harvest one year. Therefore, he decided knock down his current house and build a bigger barn to store up all he can of his crops so that he won’t have to worry about being in need. He builds it and then God comes to tell him that he is foolish, because his time on Earth is now done.
For a while this parable confused me. Isn’t it wise to save up? Isn’t it okay to store enough for ourselves? Why is God chastising him?
I grew up extremely poor, so when I received anything, I would cling to it in fear that I could possibly lose it at any moment. Sometimes that did happen, so I certainly get the mindset of the rich farmer and the urge to hoard things to prevent future poverty. The uncertainty of not knowing if we’d keep our home or have enough money at the end of the month caused a lot of anxiety for me growing up. When I reached adulthood, I swore that I would never have to depend on anyone and that I would always be able to take care of myself.
The problem that I and the farmer both had was a lack of trust in God to provide.
When hard times happened and I had to ask for help, it was a challenge. I felt like I failed. It revealed pride and a serious lack in trust in God. Depending only on myself is not the type of relationship God intended to have with me.
Underneath that parable are the following verses in Luke 12:22-24 (ESV):
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!”
We are not to worry about anything because God will provide everything. If God takes care of the birds, why wouldn’t He take care of us?
In my times of poverty as a child, God did provide. One time, as my family and I were in the process of being evicted, one of my mother’s coworkers miraculously gave her what she needed to cover the rent. When we needed food, friends would step in and buy groceries. Even in my adult life when I have faced financial troubles, God has, without fail, provided the funding for what I needed. Poverty is hard, but God sees it and will always provide.
In closing, I’d like for you to remember this Bible verse found in Psalm 34:10 (NIV): “The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
Let’s Pray: Dear God, Help us to remember that with you, we never lack. You see us and know what we need. Thank you for always providing for us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
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Author Bio:
Alexis is a 36-year-old lover of Jesus, loose leaf tea, roller coasters, writing stories and going on adventures. Originally from Marietta, GA, Alexis now resides in Fresno, CA.
Her church, The Revival Center, and family mean the world to her. They have supported her through the loss of her mother and her own cancer diagnosis.
Alexis enjoys encouraging others by reminding them not to look at what they see, but to always look to God, who is working in the unseen.
Alexis currently writes for several online ministries and launched her first podcast – The Brave Podcast – in January 2020.
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Connect with Alexis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apeachincali/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/apeachincali
Podcast: http://thebravepodcast.buzzsprout.com
Website: www.apeachincali.com
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