Because of our triune nature, God lovingly gives blessings for the body, the soul, and the spirit. Each category of blessing is deserving of our recognition and thanksgiving. Therefore, the request of “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) is most apropos.
In yesterday’s blog, consideration was made of the first four words of this petition. They emphasize your need for God’s providence (“give”), your need for proper stewardship (“us”), and your need for persistent gratitude (“this day”). Let’s consider the final three weighty words and note their significance.
The word “our” emphasizes your cooperation with God’s providence. The two parties which “our” is referring is God and you. In economic terms, God (the natural resource) plus you (the human resource) make a capital resource which can provide a good or service for you to provide a living for you and yours. The “our” is not referring to God and your neighbor, for if you will not work, neither shall you eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27) is not under consideration in this verse.
The word “daily” emphasizes your trust in God’s providence. If God can feed the birds of the air (Matthew 6:26) and clothe the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-30), then He and His providence are trustworthy. Therefore, let tomorrow worry about its own things (Matthew 6:34). Today, if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (1 Timothy 6:8).
The word “bread” emphasizes your contentment with God’s providence. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Therefore, when blessing His children, God’s focus is primarily upon our needs, not our wants. Your contentment ought to be triggered by the fulfillment of your needs as well.
