Trust . . . and prepare

[Jesus] said to them, "When I sent you . . ., did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing". – Luke 22:35

In the early years after I began working with others in full-time Christian ministry, sometimes there was no money for our salaries. But looking back, I see that I have lacked nothing.

When Jesus sent out His disciples to preach, He told them to go without money, food, or extra clothes (Luke 9:3). Later, though, just before His arrest, Jesus told the disciples to bring along a money bag and knapsack, and even to purchase a sword (22:36).

Was Jesus contradicting Himself? No. I believe He was teaching two parallel lessons. He wanted His disciples to learn to depend on Him (9:3), and He wanted them to prepare for the tough times ahead (22:36-37). They learned later that He wasn’t expecting them to use their swords to defend Him (vv. 49-51).

These two principles of Jesus – depending on Him as we serve Him, and doing what we can to be ready for future situations – are principles by which I seek to live and minister. I learned early in my ministry that we must be obedient to the Lord and trust Him to meet our daily needs. But I also believe He wants us to be wise and to do what we can to prepare for the future.

We tend to think we need to do one or the other. But the Lord wants us to trust . . . and prepare. – Albert Lee

Faith does not rule out common sense

In facing life each day,

But takes it by the hand and says,

"We’ll trust, we’ll plan, we’ll pray." – Dennis J. De Haan

READ: Luke 9:1-3; 22:35-38

Trust God for today and prepare for tomorrow.