God’s plan is that we shall have life in abundance. How can this be possible?
Modern life is designed such that we spend most of our time working, but do not have enough, and most people end their lives poorly. However, God’s will is that we shall have life in abundance. How can this be? By living according to God’s word or principles.
Text Lev 23:22; John 10:10
What is daily bread? Food and clothing (Matt 6:31; 1 Tim 6:8); the others are add-ons. N.B What stresses people are not daily bread, but the add-ons: pleasurable things, the pride of life, coveteousness, etc. The add-ons are promises given as gifts from God.
Scripturally, bread is God’s word (Deut. 8:3; Amos 8:11-13; Matt 4:4; ); clothing is righteousness (Rev 3:17-18). Without these two, we will not be satisfied and keep chasing after daily bread.
God has made provision for everyone's daily bread. God’s plan is that those who are blessed are to leave some of their harvests for the poor and the foreigner (Lev 23:22); so that everyone will eat. E.g., God commanded that Elijah be fed by a raven (1 Kings 17:1-6). Jesus fed 5000 people when he saw that they were hungry (John 6)
The principle of exchange: Don’t receive anything for free. E.g., Abraham and Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20); Abraham and the Hittites about a land to bury is wife (Genesis 23) ;The teacher and the student, the pastor and the church member (Galatians 6:6). The greatest divine exchange: Jesus Christ took upon Himself our sins and punishment on the cross for us, exchanging them for His righteousness (1 Cor. 15:3; 1 John 2:2).
The Matthew Principle: those who are faithful with what they have more will be added to them (Matt.25:14-30).
Faithfulness in someone's affairs (Luke 16:10-12): E.g., Tamar and Onan (Genesis 38:6-10).
Living a righteous life guarantees an abundant supply of daily bread (Psalm 37:25-26)
Prodigal life and destitution: Those who spend their resources on prodigal living end up poor, destitute, and begging (Prov. 21:17; Luke 15:11-32).