When Jesus tells us we will be taken care of, because even the birds are fed and clothed, should we believe it

Question

Or is it under the implied condition that it depends on the charity of others (that God uses people to fulfill His plans, but sometimes the people let God down and then God is unable to fulfill his plans).

How can an innocent little Baptized baby die of starvation, because of the noncharity of men? God knows ever hair on our heads, wouldn't He be able to foresee that man would fail and let the baby starve? If not, then how can God give us this blanket statement, that we will always be fed and clothed, and expect us to trust Him?

Answer 1

If you have belief in Jesus, you must believe what He said.

Answer 2

If you read the statement in context, God did not promise to always feed and clothe. He was talking about money and how no one can be the slave of two masters - meaning try to serve both God and money. He said not to worry about money, because just like he takes care of birds and flowers, so he can take care of us. But then he added the condition -- "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

It is not a blanket statement that He will always feed and clothe us. It is a conditional promise that if we are seeking him, trying to do what He wants first, striving to live a righteous life, THEN He will add those things. Otherwise, He is not obligated to do it.

And yes, others obedience also enters into the picture. If His people are not doing their part -- putting His kingdom first and His rigteousness -- then His will is not going to get done. People who could otherwise have been saved will die. It is a failure on the part of the fellowers, and God gets the blame.

Answer 3

This quote is part of the "Sermon on the Mount", a centerpiece in the teachings of Jesus equalled only by the teachings just after the last supper (Jn 14-16), and the real Lords prayer of John 17. The audience for this is global, to all believers.

To you and me, the idea of death is an ultimate pain, and an ultimate end. To you and me, the idea of starving is a most terrible way to die. To you and me, there is something inside of us that make the life of our physical body the highest priority.

You cant trust God or believe something he says that you dont understand. Its like saying do you trust God to kladfsjfkljdkfla;8789s!@##@ ? What I wrote, the "kladfsjfkljdkfla;8789s!@##@", is jibberish. Why would you be willing to suffer for some idea in it? If you did, Solomon might call you a fool.

The question behind your question is, I think, something like "help me to understand exactly what Jesus meant when he spoke these words especially in context of clearly observed apparent contradictions between real life experience, and what is promised".

How does a bird get its food? Does it get what it wants? Do birds die of starvation? What is the real message of Jesus when he said "Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all this will be added".

How does a flower get its beautiful clothing? Does it work? Can it be naked?

The bible itself talks about this. Read Hebrews 11, and it talks about the terrible sufferings that those who recieved the promise have, seeing it from a distance, and not walking in it.

I would suggest that the Bible must be consistent. If it is a text intended by the all-powerful creator of everything to communicate truth and excellence to his beloved creation, his adopted children, then it must be consistent, and relevant.

What does Hebrews say about the suffering? A relevant answer is in there, in epistle to the Hebrews chapters 11 and 12. Its not exhaustive, but it answers part of your question.

Jesus said "you must drink my blood, and eat my flesh" and "my flesh is real flesh", what is he talking about? Eating human meat is expressly un-kosher, and radically un-healthy. Jesus was not saying to disobey a single "jot or tittle" of the law. Jesus said "I have bread you do not know of" and "my food is to do the will of him who sent me". What does that mean?

Have you ever though that our "we know the answer to every question" attitude toward God is a little concieted, and maybe even categorically untrue? Is there any mystery of the infinite, all knowing, all wise, all powerful, singular, creator of everything that a human being, an infintessimal speck in the universe does not know? God knows, according to the bible, the name of every star in the universe.. thats a HUGE number. If we know all mysteries, what more is there to see in heaven than we already know? My point is that in assuming we know everything we miss out on the great depths of the unknown and delightful parts of God. The trust in the text, the Spirit, and the body of believers around us is a sufficient lifeline, but we should plumb as deep as possible and not think we are not the ant who brings back a grain of sand and says "I have brought back the mountain".

Answer 4

This is a verse for Gods believers. We are not to lay around and wait for the charity of man to feed us. If we can work, we should. God fed manna from heaven to His people in the wilderness, and sent quail when they complained about no meat. If the whole wold served Jesus and obeyed the bible, there would be plenty for all. the bible say, give and it shall be given to you, pressed down running together and running over shall men give unto your bosom. Christians cant feed the whole world, but we try to help some.

Answer 5

this is what i believe, God loves us all, we all have our purpose here on earth. He is the creator so he knows the reason why he put us here. he has given to us each a purpose which by His help we will fulfill. like someone said only an inventor knows the purpose of his creation. God also knows our weaknesses. maybe that baby who came to this earth but starved to death already fulfilled its purpose by bringing us to realise.... hey, they are kids out here that need feeding so all you guys God has chosen to do this... get over here, other babies to come need you. as long as we trust God, we'll see the light in the darkness, even when we dont understand what is going on, we are asked to trust. God knows we are prone to falling but that does not mean His will will not prevail. as long as God says it will come to pass, then it will.... regardless of human involvement. we just have to be obedient and have faith

Answer 6

It our faith in Him that gets us taken care of. But it is our eternal future that is more important than the life we live here and now. Those who belive in Jesus and accept Him as their savior, will be provided for, with what God knows them to need in life, and nothing more. We dont have to have expensive houses, or fancy cars, or eat at the most expensive resturaunts etc. we are the ones who over extend ourselves and then turn to God to get us out of the jams we get ourselves into because we never asked Him for advice in our life. WE are to blame not God. If you can't afford to feed yourself, what are you doing having sex and making babies and then blaming God because they are starving? Why don't you think about that before you blame God for babies starving?
It is sin that creates the starvation in this world not God. God embraces that starving baby and bring him home with him when He decides it is time. There is absolutely not amount of suffering in this world, that can compare to the suffering Jesus went through of all of us. Our trials will always pale in comparison to what Jesus endured for us so our sins can be forgiven and we cand obtain eternal life with Him. We must trust in God first and formost always. God takes care of His own who obey Him in his perfect time.

Answer 7

"it is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) That baby that you are talking about still lives in eternal life. If we look for all our needs in this life we will fall very short. Ultimately, God will prevail no matter what we do to try and thwart his plans.

Answer 8

The Earth was made to support our life in that She gives us the water, plant life and shelter we need for our survival. The Divine Entity which created the Earth saw to it that humanity would learn how to use these gifts to breathe, eat, live and be sheltered.

Answer 9

it is so unfortunate that the innocent pay for the affects of the worlds sin. God does care about us, but He is not going to make us do His will. When we willingly chose to sin we not only hurt ourselves, but everybody else in the world. dying babies in africa or other third world countries are the collateral damage of peoples sin. I urge you to give your life to Jesus Christ and "seek first the kingdom of God." God will take care of you, I have seen it in my own life.

Answer 10

Test the theory. Take your clothes off and run around downtown. I guarantee you will have clothes in very short order--although they may be an orange jumpsuit with blue tennies.

Answer 11

My opinion. Yes, that is what He meant. Your decision and His decision may differ. It is not your job to say who dies and who does not. Maybe He wanted that child to be with Him, not left on earth. (Who are you; to say). Think of the life of the child had it lived. When Jesus healed a blind man and was asked why that man was blind--the people were told --so this act of my healing him could be preformed. Who are we to say??