Topical Bible: Gifts from God: Temporal: All Creatures Partake of

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The concept of temporal gifts from God is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing God's provision and care for all His creation. These gifts, while temporary and pertaining to the earthly life, are a testament to God's benevolence and sustaining power.

Scriptural Foundation

The Bible consistently affirms that God provides for all His creatures, ensuring that their needs are met. In Psalm 145:15-16 , it is written, "The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." This passage highlights God's role as the provider, who sustains life by meeting the needs of every creature.

Similarly, in Matthew 6:26 , Jesus teaches about God's provision, saying, "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Here, Jesus underscores the care God extends to all living beings, using the example of birds to illustrate His provision.

God's Provision in Creation

From the beginning, God's creation was designed to be self-sustaining, with each part providing for the needs of others. Genesis 1:29-30 states, "Then God said, 'Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.' And it was so." This passage reveals God's initial provision for both humanity and animals, ensuring that all creatures have access to sustenance.

The Cycle of Provision

The temporal gifts from God are part of a larger cycle of provision that reflects His ongoing involvement in creation. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 , it is noted, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." This cyclical nature of life and provision is a reminder of God's continuous care and the temporal nature of earthly gifts.

Human Responsibility

While God provides for all creatures, humans are often called to be stewards of His creation, ensuring that His gifts are used wisely and justly. In Genesis 2:15 , it is written, "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." This mandate to cultivate and care for the earth reflects the responsibility humans have in managing God's temporal gifts.

Conclusion

The temporal gifts from God, shared by all creatures, are a reflection of His abundant provision and care. These gifts, while temporary, serve as a reminder of God's sustaining power and the intricate balance He has established within creation. Through His provision, God demonstrates His love and faithfulness, ensuring that all living beings are cared for according to His divine plan.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 136:25
Who gives food to all flesh: for his mercy endures for ever.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 145:15,16
The eyes of all wait on you; and you give them their meat in due season.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of the Loving of God in Ourselves and Other Creatures...
... And as for temporal good things (as they are called), we are to desire (and procure ...
I answer that such corporal perfections, being gifts of God, may lawfully ...
/.../chapter v of the loving.htm

Concerning "Existence" and Also Concerning "Exemplars. "
... Name from the most primary of His gifts when, as ... Exemplars" to those laces which,
preexistent in God [385] as ... attribute of eternal things nor of temporal things ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter v concerning existence and.htm

In which Also Concerning Exemplars.
... as Being, from the prior of His other gifts; for pre ... must call to mind the Word of
God, which says ... above time and eternity, and all things eternal and temporal. ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput v concerning beingin which.htm

That one God Formed all Things in the World, by Means of the Word ...
... human race prophetic visions, and diversities of gifts, and His ... was like to the Son
of God." [4098] At ... hands," [4099] and as smiting all temporal kingdoms, and ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xx that one god formed.htm

Religious Joy.
... Were they especially known for piety and gifts? ... We may enjoy His temporal bounty,
and partake the pleasant ... "God has not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvii religious joy.htm

How we Ought Lovingly to Receive God.
... The Servant."O Lord, they bestow precious gifts. ... if any person, while living in this
temporal state, was able ... more is required of him, for God completes what ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xxiii how we ought.htm

How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to ...
... case that some, by being proud of some gifts that they ... in his wrath appeased the
wrath of God (Numbers 25 ... But, when temporal peace is disturbed in the hearts of ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxii how those that.htm

Man's Chief End
... not give to another.' God will give temporal blessings to ... that they might outshine
him in gifts, and get ... To behold God's glory, there is glory revealed to us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 mans chief end.htm

On the Excellency of Religion and Divine Love.
... it is the privilege of gifts to receive ... in all the dispensations of Providence: temporal
enjoyments would ... such a considerable person, that God Almighty should ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part ii on the excellency.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... high example, [1404]219; in achieving temporal, much more ... Son delivered up,
[1513]ib.; His gifts cannot be ... desire of, and fulfillment comes from God, [1582]220 ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm