SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1303

“It Bred Worms”

But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank… – Exodus 16:20

Some of the first words we speak as children are ‘No’ and ‘Mine’. Our nature is to be stubborn, disobedient, covetous, and selfish.

God tested Israel’s trust in Him in the desert.

This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’ And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.”- Exodus 16:16,19

It was a simple and clear command: Take only what your family needs for today and trust in God to provide what you will need tomorrow. But some did not trust God and hoarded the manna which bred worms and created a foul stench.

Before we wag our heads at the behavior of the Israelites, we should first look at our behavior during Y2K and the recent Covid Pandemic. People hoarded everything from SPAM and Gasoline to Toilet Paper and N25 dust masks. Guns and ammunition were purchased in bulk to defend against those who may want what we had.

Do We Trust in God to Provide?

Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? – Matthew 6:25-26

…Your Father knows what you need before you ask him; And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Matthew 6:8; Philippians 4:19

Worry is the worm that eats at our relationship with God. When we worry and take matters into our hands, we tell God that we do not trust Him.

Do We Selfishly Hoard What God Has Provided?

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ – Luke 12:16-20

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also; But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:19-21,33

Are We Good Stewards of God’s Provision?

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. – Luke 12:42-43

God desires that we sow into His kingdom. We sow His Word, living and active in our life as salt and light in this world. We also sow His provision in blessing others through tithes, offerings, and service.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it; Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. – Proverbs 3:27; Malachi 3:10

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. … He who supplies seed to the Sower, and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Overcoming our disobedient, covetous, and selfish nature cannot be done by the force of self will. It requires being born again by the Holy Spirit of God. It requires us to come under the headship of Jesus instead of Adam. It is through the abiding presence of Jesus in our heart that we learn to love, trust, and obey God fully.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6