Those whom God calls to advance righteousness and justice need financial and material help.  Growing up in the structure of the black church, I often heard the adage: “Everything we need is in the house.” My childhood memory recalls this adage spoken almost as regularly as the doxology. It applied to emergency funding needs, or to the perennial building fund, or to the need for other “miracles” of provision. Unfortunately, repetition never seemed to result in enough. When the emergency roof reparation was completed, for example, it often seemed that just weeks later there was another emergency for which the congregation was asked to supply the needed resources.

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Although this adage is not a scriptural quote, it does seem to be based upon biblical promises. For example, Colossians 3:2, speaking about spiritual and natural things, teaches us: Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth (HCSB). With regard to the natural things, that passage speaks, in part, of the assurance that when we pursue God’s plans, purposes, and will in our lives, we can trust Him to provide all that is needed in the natural to accomplish His will. In a similar way, Philippians 4:19 — And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (ESV) — speaks about our provision for every need to accomplish the will of God in the natural and the spiritual. And there are the multiple Old Testament examples of the provision and promises of God toward those who went forward into the battle in pursuit of Him. Who can deny the beauty of God raining down sweet manna from heaven to feed the Israelites and sending quail when they whined for meat?

Right now, God has sent and is sending His Church into arenas that require money. Though King Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes are thought by some to have come from a broken place after recognizing the vanity of his moral failings, they are nevertheless words from someone who asked God for wisdom rather than seeking material riches. Contextually, by setting his mind on asking God for wisdom first, Solomon exemplified what the Apostle Paul exposited in Colossians 3:2 — and long before the Colossian Church even existed. From that person of wisdom we have Ecclesiastes 10:19: A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things (KJV).

I have wrestled with the idea of writing about the subject of financial provision. It is a subject about which the Church is still maturing, because much harm has been done. I have been continually reminded, however, of James 4:2–3: … You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures (NIV).

Christians who have entered the government battle as candidates for public office are outnumbered, but have the promise of Gideon’s army for faithfulness. There are many of us around the nation — like Sheila, the retired grandmother with a real opportunity to unseat a bought, pro-abortion, CRT (critical race theory) proponent who laughs at the idea that she can replace him on the County Council; or Bobbi, the grandmother running for State Senate because she loves God and loves America; or Pastor Jeff, who wants nothing more than to restore hope, righteousness, and blessings to his state.

In the same way that Gideon’s army needed food and supplies to sustain them through to victory, Christian candidates need provisions and supplies. No longer must we “have not, because we ask not.” Neither can they rest on faith alone, because “faith without works is dead.” Moreover, try as they might to live beyond asking for material help by expecting that God will drop manna from the sky and make money unnecessary, the truth remains that His house is composed of His children. He created us to need one another. Wherever each of us is on our faith journey and in the context of our battle positions, I am convinced that everything we need, individually and collectively, is in fact in the house — God’s house: His family. If it were not so, He would not send us out.

Call to action: Please continue your prayers for provision, protection, favor, and victory. The Church’s revival and reformation begins and ends with prayer. Also, seek Holy Spirit for discernment, and give toward missions as the Lord leads. Give money, time, and talent.  Research your local candidates and know that nothing limits the Church’s support for candidates who are not in our local area. Nothing is too small. Otherwise, our advancement could be delayed, because our faith that God will send His people to serve is not joined to our faith to support the mission.

How are you praying for provision from the Father’s house? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

Mavourene Robinson is a homeschool mom, an author, and an intercessor.  A former human resources professional, she began full-time ministry in 2014. Mavourene is a lifelong learner about the intersections of faith with international relations and domestic policy, and she is active in intercession for family, government, education, and religion.