FAMILY NEEDS #3
EVERY FAMILY NEEDS PROVISION
In American culture there is a growing demand for government to meet the needs of everyone.
· Education- govt. will pay
· Food- govt. will pay
· Medical care- the govt. will pay.
· Home- the govt. will pay.
· Car- the govt. will help you. (remember the clunker aid?)
If the government does not meet the need then the church is expected to meet the need. Every week we are asked to pay utility bills, health bills, rent, etc.
The provision for meeting our physical needs should not come from the government, nor church but rather the family.
I. Provision for family needs is to come from the head,
a father.
I Tim. 5 8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. KJV
A man is to provide for his own immediate family.
ILL. Brother Allison helped me with this. A man in the church several years ago had lost his job, was in danger of perhaps losing other things such as his truck etc. etc. I felt we should help him as a church.
Bro. Allison asked, “Does he have family? There is father that is doing quite well. You are asking me to give an offering to a man that has more than I do. He further explained, “He has land, and other things he can sell to meet the demands made of him. It would not be right for me to take away from my family to meet the need of someone who has family that can help and possessions they can liquidate”.
Jacob knew the pressure of providing adequately for his family. He had worked for his father in law and increasing his wealth but his own family was not.
Gen. 30 27“Please listen to me,” Laban replied. “I have become wealthy, for the Lord has blessed me because of you. 28Tell me how much I owe you. Whatever it is, I’ll pay it.”
29Jacob replied, “You know how hard I’ve worked for you, and how your flocks and herds have grown under my care. 30You had little indeed before I came, but your wealth has increased enormously. The Lord has blessed you through everything I’ve done. But now, what about me? When can I start providing for my own family?” NLT
A father attempts to leave his children an inheritance.
Pro. 19 14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: KJV
Matt. 7 9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? KJV
If we have children that we are paying child support for it is the right thing. Don’t complain about this being an inconvenience, it is our duty as a father.
II. Provision for family needs are to come from other
family members.
A. The mother
Pro. 31 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;….
24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. NLT
Mothers help to support the needs of the family.
B. The children and grandchildren are to help.
1Tim. 5 3Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. 4But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God. NLT
Naomi is an example of this. She had no family left in Moab. Her husband and sons died. Her daughter in laws cared for her till she decided to return to Bethlehem. Ruth, Naomi’s daughter in law returned with her and met her needs in a family field of Boaz.
C. Extended family is to help.
I Tim. 5 8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. KJV
ILL. A family member that is a widow is about to go bankrupt. A family member made the need aware to others and said, “I am going to give so much. Will you help?”
They did and bankruptcy was avoided, the family name was saved and the person was able to meet their obligations.
Unexpected things happen. When they do we need family.
I am aware that people are to be responsible for good stewardship and we are not to empty our pockets for continued bad stewardship but we are to help those that are worthy.
Paul had a rule: 2 Thes 3 10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat KJV
This of course applies to those who can work. It was intended for those who are lazy and refuse to work.
1Tim. 5 was written for the purpose of family meeting the needs of family, especially widows. There were clear qualifications as to whom the church was to help when there was no family to rely upon.
God’s plan is for family to care for family.
III. Our Heavenly Father adds his blessing to those that
are his.
Matt. 6 25“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. NLT
God is known for the way he takes care of his children.
Psa. 37 25I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread. KJV
He is the God of Psa. 103 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
Who healeth all thy diseases; 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; KJV
Israel had shoes and garments that would not wear out; manna every day, water whenever it was needed, a cloud of fire to warm them at night and cool them from the sun during the day. They had more quail than they could eat.
The churches responsibility is to the widows, the orphans, and the poor (those who are destitute, home burns, or some unexpected catastrophe).
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