Source and Supply

“Happy are those . . whose hope is in the Lord.” Psalm 146:5 NIV

“Whatever the method of supply, your source is only God every time.”

My thoughts today are about “source and supply.”

It is important to differentiate between source and supply. Fail to do so and you may find yourself depending upon the wrong one at a most unfortunate time. Source describes origin, from whom or from where something originates. Supply expresses the means – diverse routes of travel and/or transport – by which something can move from its source to the recipient. There may be varied avenues of supply, but a singular point of something’s origination.

You need to clearly understand that in life you have only one source – God. Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven’s lights. Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NLT. God is your Source of anything that is good and a blessing to your life, not to be confused as the source of everything that happens in your life.

In the verses immediately previous, the Bible makes it clear that God is not the source of temptation (See James 1:13-16 NLT). Neither is God the source of sin or evil, nor any bad and hurtful thing that comes across your path. That is the work of an enemy of your soul. “Watch out for attacks from the devil, your enemy.” See 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT. The devil, God’s arch enemy, delights to see a loving and righteous God blamed for all the hell and chaos that happens in your world.

When God is your Source, He will use various ways to supply, as He deems best and benevolent. Paul was clear on this matter. “This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV. Paul describes the source from which your every need is supplied – “His glorious riches . . in Christ Jesus.” In every instance, He chooses the means by which His ample supply comes to you out of His abundance.

The very prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray begins appropriately at one clear source –  “Our Father who is in Heaven . . give us each day our daily bread. Luke 11:3 NIV. God may choose to provide your daily needs by your labor, another’s unexpected benevolence, in a way you did not foresee, and by normal and miraculous supply.

Whatever the method of supply, your source is only God every time. God’s self-assigned responsibility is to provide for you; your response is to obey Him; each obedience begins with trust – trusting God to do as He promises. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT.

There are many instances the Bible gives of the principle of source and supply. A most interesting one is how God supplied Elijah’s daily needs in unusual, even miraculous ways, as He will yours. Read 1 Kings 17:1-16 NKJV. This is not just a story; it is history – His story! If God can do that for Elijah, He will do so in His own way for you. The method of supply may change; the Source never will.

My prayer for you today is: enjoy the supply, but trust only in the single Source.