Day Three EN Fast: Provision
Today is day THREE of our annual Prayer, Fasting, and Consecration week. We will have a special prayer meeting today at noon on TNLC+ Facebook Group. CLICK HERE to join the group.
Read
Acts 4:32–37
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Additional Reading
Luke 12:22–31; Exodus 16:4–16; Philippians 4:18–19; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
Miracles of provision are all throughout the pages of scripture, from manna in the
wilderness (Exodus 16:15) to the coin in the mouth of a fish (Matthew 17:27). In fact, Jesus
taught us to pray and depend on God to meet our daily needs (Luke 11:3).
When we really believe that God is our provider, it becomes easier to hold our resources
with open hands.
As we grow as believers, our understanding of possessions changes. Instead of seeing
what we have as things that we earned or deserved, we begin to see that God has
graciously given us possessions and resources to steward. He meets our needs so that
we can be a blessing and meet the needs of others. What I have been given by God isn’t
only for me but for the good of my brothers and sisters around me, the family of God.
In a family, everything more or less belongs to everyone. Sure, you may not share your
toothbrush or socks, but it’s rare that one sibling owns the couch and another owns the
chair or that the parents tell their kids to ask before using the dining table. The family has
those things “in common,” much like the believers in Acts 4.
The miracle in this passage, that there “was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34),
seems rather unremarkable. There’s no rush of wind, no angels, no shaking meeting
place, but in a sense, that’s what makes it so extraordinary. This generosity makes them
stand out against the culture around them—in a city where providing for others wasn’t
the norm, their generosity is a powerful demonstration of Christ’s supernatural love and
provision.
Each of us can evoke an environment like this when we live a Spirit-filled life. An
outcome of the grace of God being “upon you” (Acts 4:33) is radical generosity. God will
supernaturally provide for us to meet our needs, the needs of others, and to advance
his kingdom.
Miracles of provision are all throughout the pages of scripture, from manna in the
wilderness (Exodus 16:15) to the coin in the mouth of a fish (Matthew 17:27). In fact, Jesus
taught us to pray and depend on God to meet our daily needs (Luke 11:3).
When we really believe that God is our provider, it becomes easier to hold our resources
with open hands.
As we grow as believers, our understanding of possessions changes. Instead of seeing
what we have as things that we earned or deserved, we begin to see that God has
graciously given us possessions and resources to steward. He meets our needs so that
we can be a blessing and meet the needs of others. What I have been given by God isn’t
only for me but for the good of my brothers and sisters around me, the family of God.
In a family, everything more or less belongs to everyone. Sure, you may not share your
toothbrush or socks, but it’s rare that one sibling owns the couch and another owns the
chair or that the parents tell their kids to ask before using the dining table. The family has
those things “in common,” much like the believers in Acts 4.
The miracle in this passage, that there “was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34),
seems rather unremarkable. There’s no rush of wind, no angels, no shaking meeting
place, but in a sense, that’s what makes it so extraordinary. This generosity makes them
stand out against the culture around them—in a city where providing for others wasn’t
the norm, their generosity is a powerful demonstration of Christ’s supernatural love and
provision.
Each of us can evoke an environment like this when we live a Spirit-filled life. An
outcome of the grace of God being “upon you” (Acts 4:33) is radical generosity. God will
supernaturally provide for us to meet our needs, the needs of others, and to advance
his kingdom.
Reflection
Has there ever been a time that God has provided supernaturally for you? What was that experience?
How differently would you live if you had absolute confidence that God would provide everything you need?
How differently would you live if you had absolute confidence that God would provide everything you need?
Faith Step
Do you know someone who is currently in a difficult situation and is in need?
Ask God how you can be part of his supernatural provision for that person.
Ask God how you can be part of his supernatural provision for that person.
Prayer
Jesus, you are the greatest provision of all time: a Savior when we were helpless to save
ourselves. Strengthen my trust in you to provide in every area of my life. You give me blessings so that I can be a blessing to others and show them your grace. I pray that your glory would be revealed as you bring miraculous provision to me and through me. AMEN.
ourselves. Strengthen my trust in you to provide in every area of my life. You give me blessings so that I can be a blessing to others and show them your grace. I pray that your glory would be revealed as you bring miraculous provision to me and through me. AMEN.