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Trusting the Lord for His Provision

Text: Matthew 10 : 8 - 13

Jesus did not only promise spiritual power and authority for effective ministry. He also promised ample physical provision. However, the disciples would have to exercise their faith and trust the Lord in this matter.

“Freely you have received, freely give. Provide
neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money
belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics,
nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”
Matthew 10:8b-10

ANTICIPATION OF SUPPORT

Only Jesus knew that there will be support for His disciples. However, they would not know that as a fact. They would have to believe His word as they were sent out to minister. To foster a greater sense of faith and trust, the disciples were given clear instructions not to provide anything extra for their ministry.

In fact, so sure was Jesus concerning support and provision for their needs that He said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” When the disciples preach the word, when they teach effectively, people will welcome them and look after them. People whose hearts had been touched would provide for their needs and more! In fact some would provide so adequately that they would do well to give away what they have been blessed with.

“Freely you have received”

There will be people who will be blessed by their ministry. These will give freely. The disciples must trust the Lord that this would be true!

“Freely give”

The disciples must learn an important lesson with reference to the matter of giving. They must not become enamoured of the gifts that they will be given. They will come across people with greater needs. They must out of a heart of love and compassion give away what they have been blessed with!

A SPECIFIC COMMANDMENT

Jesus gave clear instructions with reference to physical provision. The disciples had to learn this principle for at least two reasons.

1. The Immediate Present Ministry

The disciples were being sent out for a very brief ministry. Though there was careful instruction and more than ample provision for all their needs, nevertheless their ministry for the present moment was to be a very brief one. This being the case, there was really no need to provide for anything much!

2. The Future Ministry

The future held promises of an even greater ministry. However, the same principle of “faith and trust in the Lord’s provision” must still be practiced. The principle of faith and trust is the underlying principle of all missionary enterprises!

“A worker is worthy of his food”

The key word to note in this statement is “worker” (The Greek text literally translated reads, “The worker”). The disciples were being sent out to work! Though they have been promised authority to heal and to cast out demons, nevertheless they must realize that the ministry would involve work – hard work!

If the disciples were not afraid of hard work, (if they were to serve following the footsteps of their Teacher closely) they would have proven that they were worthy of support. People would love to have them in their homes. What an honour and privilege it would be to have such powerful servants of God in their homes!

IN THE GREATEST OF TRADITION

What Jesus taught was not something new. If we examine the Old Testament text carefully, we would realize that great prophets like Elijah and Elisha practiced the same principles.

1. Elijah the prophet

a) God provided for his needs at Brook Cherith when a severe drought hit Israel (Cf 1 Kings 17:1-7).

b) Then God sent him to the home of a widow of Zarephath. There was miraculous provision for food and also shelter (1 Kings 17:8-24).

2. Elisha the prophet

a) God provided for him through a family in Shunem (2 Kings 4:1-37).

b) When he healed Naaman of his leprosy, he refused to take any payment (2 Kings 5).

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THEIR MASTER

Surpassing all other servants of God, Jesus stood as the supreme example to the disciples! Did He not say to a scribe who wanted to be a disciple these words?

“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have
nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Matthew 8:20

The disciples would have to follow the footsteps of their Master in the most literal sense of the word! They would have to go out on this Mission trip with no idea where their food and shelter would come from. They would have to trust that all Jesus said to them would come to pass! Deep down in their hearts, the disciples knew that Jesus wanted them to exercise and grow their faith even more deeply.