God gives every bird its food, but does not throw it into the nest. -Josiah Gilbert Holland

The above quote sums up very well what a Christian’s attitude ought to be in regard to work, and providence.

First and foremost, God provides. As the author above writes, “God gives every bird its food…” This is true and echoed in Scripture, for Jesus Himself has said:

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? -Matthew 6:26

A balance

Yet there is a balance to this providence. As J.G. Gilbert wrote of God’s provision, “but [He] does not throw it into the nest.” It is still the bird’s responsibility each day to go out and find the things that God has given it.

And so it is with us. God is giving us a number of blessings, and they are truly ours for the taking. Yet, we do have the responsibility of stepping out and getting them. We are not to force God, yet in going and seeking, we allow Him to bless us.

This was summed up well by Amy Carmichael when she extracted the phrase: “Thou givest… they gather.” That is to say, what things that God gives to the animals of the earth, they gather for themselves. And in application, the things that God has given to us, we are to go out and gather for ourselves.

So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. . . .These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.  That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. -Psalms 104:25, 27-28

• God: The Provider
• One Person Can Make a Difference
• Food for the Soul
• Leaving Faults Behind
• Who Says Heaven will be Boring!?

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Godly Sayings by Dean