The text isn’t concerning trivialities; all three are essential to life itself. No-one can survive without food or drink, and in most climates, some kind of clothing to protect the body is necessary. This is not a quaint sentiment but a deeply challenging one —precisely because it speaks about survival.
One possible reading of text is that one does not worry about these life sustaining items because God will provide them. It sounds great on first reading but if I am honest — and when I write these blogs, I strive to be real and honest even if the topic is difficult — it simply doesn’t happen. God does not usually supernaturally provide food. There is only the story of manna in the wilderness and a couple of other tales where that happens. Clothing is not dropped from the heavens. So, I need to think about this gospel passage a little more.
Weatherwise, currently we are experiencing a “polar vortex”. That means it is cold and snows every day. When I say cold, I am talking about extreme cold, yesterday we awoke to a felt temperature of -31C. I don’t think I have ever seen it so low. My poor pugs can only go out for a couple of minutes before their legs freeze. Yesterday, our home never reached the set daytime high (70F) even though the furnace was pumping out heat all day.
Even so Andy and I were warm, our pugs were warm, we had hot food; I made a great pea soup and fresh baked bread. We had plenty of hot tea to drink whenever we felt a little chilly. So, reading today’s text felt a little poignant as whenever these days and weeks of extreme cold occur there is always additional concern for those who are cold and hungry. Those who are homeless or have insufficient means to keep their homes or themselves warm.
When I read some of the passages in the scriptures I often wonder what they would sound like to someone not in the same privileged situation as many people in the Western world are. I wonder if I was sat freezing and hungry with very poor housing — or even worse if I was watching my children suffer the same fate — what would it feel like to read this passage telling me not to worry because God would provide? If I am honest, I think it would be very hard. Maybe disillusioning, maybe causing some guilt and self-reflection on why this does not happen for me.
God as provider, Jehovah Jireh, thought provoking especially as this was only used in Genesis 22 when it was a life and death situation. Abraham was prepared to kill his child, but God provided an alternative sacrifice. Personally, I don’t think this is a good story, but it is not one I’m dwelling on today. However, it does make one wonder if this instant was in the mind of the gospel writer when this story was included; that God’s provision comes only at the lowest point. Nevertheless, this “God provides” language can become dangerous theology when
detached from human responsibility. Genesis 22 was about an eleventh-hour intervention not everyday economics.
As with many texts, somehow, I must hold these two things in tension.
Rather than a dialogue about whether or not God provides supernaturally, I think I would rather think about the story as being about care for each other, being as Christ to each other. God miraculously dropping food, drink and clothing onto the earth is not something I can embrace, it does not happen in contemporary times. But reading the passage in the light of care, does make more sense. As a community — even an international community — caring to ensure all are provided with life’s essentials. This fits well with one of the great Godly commands in scripture — love your neighbour as yourself. People care for themselves, but more essentially care for each other. Often worry paralyses, whilst care mobilizes. So, if everyone is caring for each other all should be clothed and fed.
Of course, we don’t live in a perfect world, a utopia. I am not unrealistic about the reality of what we see around us or in the news. No one can solve all the hunger, homelessness and lack of clothing in the world. Nevertheless, it is something to strive towards, in our own small ways to build up the habit of care.
One of the illustrations used in the text is birds being fed. Yesterday morning; after noticing my feeders were empty, I donned my arctic outerwear and wellingtons and went through the snow to my bird feeders to ensure these little ones had food. It was so cold a couple of the feeders had frozen shut and had to brought indoors for a few minutes before I could fill them. I know many others who exercised care for these little ones who are part of God’s creation. The birds are fed — but not without the labour, attentiveness and compassion of others.
Don’t worry about what you will eat, drink or wear, but exercise care for others. For me this really illustrates the heart of the gospel. Seeking first the Realm of God looks like organizing life around mutual care. It is not disengagement from material needs but reordering responsibility for them. Maybe, this is being as Christ to those we meet.
