“As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

2 Corinthians 8:15

We all are given what we need. It is given because even if we are able to earn it, that is the mercy of God. It all belongs to Him and He gives liberally to all.

The reference in this verse is to the provision of manna in the wilderness. The people of God wandered for forty years in the desert scrubland. God provided in miraculous ways for that vast group of people. Their shoes never wore out and they had fresh food every day.

“He humbled you, and allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord, does man live.”

Deuteronomy 8:3

The humbling was to be totally dependant on God, and they were. They were amply provided for. The temporal provision was to teach them the spiritual provision and to know that physical bread (manna) was never enough. They needed the closeness of their Lord and God. But they didn’t want the Lord…

“When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They gathered every man according to his eating.”

Exodus 16:18

Yet it was still provided and they were physically sustained. No one had too much of too little. Their bodies were preserved, but none of that generation entered the promised land. A sobering thought.

They grumbled. God provided birds to eat. They wanted drinks, cucumbers, melons, to such an extent that some wanted back into slavery!

“Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

Such is the nature of humans, and the constant desire for more. It is ugly in the physical, but not in the spiritual. To want more of God is the point. He provides all our spiritual needs, beginning with spiritual life when we first come to Him for forgiveness and faith. Our lives are then full of provision and we are taught by the Spirit of God. We should be growing and needing more and more food for our hungry souls. We need to feed ourselves daily and eat good spiritual food to keep our souls healthy.

It can be difficult to find good spiritual food and we also need the powers of discernment to know what is good and what is not. Our only reliable, source is the Word of God, and we must be conversant with it to be able to judge situations and people in our lives. We need to know who is true, and who isn’t. We need wisdom, discretion and insight to understand what we need to know in our lives. God provides to all who ask Him for these things, in sincerity, to use and develop for His glory.

Everyone gathered their own manna, and gathered enough for themselves to last the day. They couldn’t keep it over for the next day, it had to be fresh. So our walk with God should be fresh and real and intimate. We talk with Him always, remember His ways always and love him.

“But, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He (Jesus) said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He (the lawyer) answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” He (Jesus) said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

Luke 10:25-28

If we love God, we will have no fear, because we will recognise and appreciate His provision for us. It might be less than the people around us, or more… whatever way we live, we should be content. As we need more, God will provide. If We have much, it can get less, and our hearts must not belong to our belongings!

“Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.”

As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-9

However little we think we have, we can always give. There are people who really do live on the edge. Will we be able to fill the gap for them? As we see people in need, are we prepared to do something? It doesn’t matter how small, at least it is something. Sharing with a true heart, is so important. It is the the remaining righteousness of God.

God gives so liberally, for those who have eyes to see it. The greedy person who is never satisfied will never see it, and always think they need more. He gives to all, wether we ask or not. Blessings rain down on good and bad people alike. If we should ask, the promise is it will be given. It people ask of us, we should be able to give too.

If we are permitted to gather a lot, we might need a lot at that point in our lives, and also have enough to share. If we gather only a little, it is still sufficient.

“He (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don’t sow, they don’t reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!”

Luke 12:22-24