Kingdom Culture of Supply
“Now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.”
2 Corinthians 8:14
The desire for control came from pride, the desire to be self-sufficient, without need of God. To come back to God, because Jesus paid the price, we must give Jesus the control, the lordship, of our lives. We have life when we are in union with Him, and that life requires our submission to Him in position and in obedience.
Control will want to hold onto what it has, so it can keep power. The desire to gain more control will cause a person to conquer more, take more. Control is greedy, selfish, and domineering. The idea of giving, without strings attached, can challenge the person who wants to control. When they do give, it’s often to get something in return. There is a phrase, “You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.” It means that if I do something for you, I expect you to do something for me.
Control is fueled by fear, fear that it will lose what it has or that someone else will overpower it. Faith in God removes that fear. God is all-powerful. He doesn’t need us like we need Him. He’s not stingy or domineering. He’s gracious; He’s generous. He is rich in love. When we come under God’s control. He asks us to give – not just for the gift, but because He wants us to let go of control and trust Him.
Remember the rich young ruler? Jesus challenged him to sell everything He had, give the money to the poor, then to follow Him. The ruler couldn’t let go of his riches because he couldn’t let go of control and trust in the Lord. In the kingdom of God, we help supply needs because God is in control.
When we are fully leaning on the Lord, and He asks us to give, He is asking us to let go of control, and then trust Him to the point of taking action. God often values the heart more than the gift itself. He’s after us, not just our giving.
We give to help supply kingdom needs. We tithe and give to our local church. We give to missions, charities, and outreach. We give to the poor or those less fortunate. God will help us with giving, even supplying our seed to sow, blessing us to be a blessing. The Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts so we know where and to whom to give, the amount or what to give, when to give it, how to give it. The Holy Spirit guides us so that resources go where they should go. Thank God for help in supplying!
Application: Ask the Lord if He would like for you to give, where to give, and how much to give. Be obedient and watch how God can move.