My Loaf of Bread

In the aftermath of World War II, there were millions of orphans in Europe. Their government had to build orphanages and provide for these children. They were quite successful. The orphans received the best care available, including the healthiest food and drink.

However, at one orphanage, the administrators noticed that after just a few weeks, the children could not sleep. Even if they received good meals, had adequate beds, the children remained awake all night. The administrators were disturbed that the children were disturbed! They interviewed the children and soon found out the source of the problem and the solution to it.

The attendants began placing a small loaf of bread into the hands of each child at bedtime. In a matter of days, the children were all sleeping through the night, reassured by the bread that there would be food for tomorrow. The children had been anxious because their experience with the war had taught them that having food one day does not translate to having food the next day. The presence of bread dispelled their fears.

Philippians 4:19 is the loaf of bread that God places in your hands each day. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” Do not fear like those orphans of the war. Do not be anxious for the future. While you ought to plan wisely and save prudently for the future, you should remember that you are not alone in securing your future. God will meet all your needs.

This assurance from God should also affect the way you give. If God were to ask you to take all your savings right now and invest them in His Kingdom, you should be able to be confidently obey Him, knowing that He will always take care of your needs.

God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). That means He looks at our hearts, not at the amount of what we give. We do not share out of our own sense of righteousness, or out of duty, pressure or fear of punishment. We share because we love God and we are happy to obey Him. “He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Cor. 9:6


Resource: Whose Money Is it Anyway? By John MacArthur.
Word Publishing © 2000. pp.81-82