Day 17: God’s Provision Is Corporate

God’s provision for His people is corporate. He does not treat us simply as isolated individuals, but as members of a single body, bound to one another by strong ties of mutual commitment.

In Ephesians, Paul wrote:

“From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)

Paul here emphasized the importance of the joints. The joints represent the relationships among the various members. If these are in good shape, God’s supply is able to reach every part of the body, and no member suffers lack. But if the joints are not working properly—that is, if the members are not rightly related to one another—then there will be some parts of the body of Christ that will suffer lack. This will happen not because God’s supply is inadequate, but only because our wrong attitudes and relationships hinder His supply from reaching some who need it.

When God delivered Israel out of Egypt, He caused the manna to fall each night. In the morning, the people had to go out and gather it before the sun caused it to melt. Each person required an omer, which is about two quarts. As it worked out, some Israelites gathered more than an omer, others less. Then they shared with each other and discovered that each one had just enough—precisely one omer! (See Exodus 16:14– 18.) However, if they had not been willing to share in this way, some would not have had enough. Obviously, God could have arranged for each individual to gather as much as he needed for himself. But He did not do so because He wanted to teach His people their responsibility for one another. (See also 2 Corinthians 8:13–15).

The world of our day needs a similar demonstration. People need to see a company of Christians who are so related to God through faith in Christ, and to one another by mutual commitment, that all their needs are met.