Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today, let’s explore the truth that God provides!

In today’s scripture, Matthew 17:24‭-‬27 (NLT), we read…
On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”… “Yes, he does,” Peter replied… Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”… “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!… However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Consider…
Yesterday or today is payday for many people. Payday represents the reward for efforts and contributions to an employer. It allows employees to fulfill their financial obligations, which include taxes. For most employees, taxes are deducted from their gross pay by the company and paid to the government on their behalf. Usually, an employer (current or former) is the employee’s primary source of income and provides that person with the resources to fulfill their financial obligations.

In today’s scripture, we see…

• Peter approached by tax collectors for the church. Church taxes could be a diatribe all it’s own, but I will stay on point.
• Peter confirmed that Jesus, his teacher, and true owner of the church, would fulfill the imposed tax obligations. Notice that Peter answered for Jesus before asking Him. That’s another tangent I could go off on, but staying focused.
• Jesus made a Kingdom assertion and challenge to Church’s authority to collect taxes from it’s Authority. Jesus asked, “Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”
• Jesus showed the character He wants us to exhibit in fulfilling obligations we don’t agree with. He said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them”. Paul expands this emphasis in Galatians 5:13 (ERV), which says, “My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love.” The connection the Holy Spirit gave me is, believers fulfilling their obligations, authorized or not, is an act of service by His servants in service to the King of kings.
• Lastly, Jesus provided the resources to pay the taxes

Let’s look a little closer at that last takeaway. We must appreciate the following facts…

• Jesus, as the Son of God, should not have been subject to Temple tax. As a matter of fact, we know that the Temple belonged to Him, because when He outed, and kicked out the crooks in it, He called it His “Father’s house”. (Matthew 21:12-13)
• However, Jesus and His disciples had no income. In fact He instructed them not to accept compensation. (Mark 6:8)
• And they owned no property. (Matthew 8:20)
• Yet, I don’t read anywhere that they ever lacked. As a matter of fact, Jesus provided abundantly more than they could ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20 was on display with the feeding of the 5,000; Luke 9:13-17). This makes me think of Psalm 37:25 (KJV), which says, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

That’s today’s message, regardless of what we have or don’t have, God always provides! Paul reiterated this transformational truth in Philippians 4:11‭-‬13 (NLT), where he wrote…
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have… I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little… For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Phillipians 4:13 is the favorite, or theme verse for many believers. Yet, I wonder if it’s fully appreciated for what it is declarating? Paul is saying that God provides everything we need regardless of our circumstances! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

We know God provides what we need, based on verses 11 and 12 where Paul declares God’s provision is his secret to contentment, and he proceeds to provide contrasting moments in his life as proof. It’s important to understand that God’s provision isn’t based on who we are, but who He is. We know this too because in Matthew 5:45 Jesus said our Heavenly Father provides sunlight and rain to the just and unjust alike.

It’s equally important to understand the verb Paul uses in verse 13. Paul didn’t say that having everything he needed was his source of contentment, rather his ability to do what God desires and requires regardless of his circumstances. That’s truly what God provides, our ability to honor and glorify Him no matter what, when or where. Like 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) says…
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

God provides everything we need to live, especially for Him!

So Today’s message is short and sweet, regardless and always, God provides!

Today’s song is…
God Provides
https://youtu.be/d8BwydIR-r0?si=EV-dXlPNntHXvuQK

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)