Will He Deny You a Crust?
God's attributes and promises are engaged for our benefit, and He will provide for our necessities if we have Him as our portion.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the assurance of God's provision for His people, arguing that if God did not spare His own Son, He will certainly not deny us our basic needs. He reassures Christians that all of God's attributes, promises, and affections are engaged for their benefit, and thus they should not fear for their necessities. Brooks contrasts the care God provides even to His enemies with the abundant care He will provide for those who love Him, urging believers to trust in God's faithfulness. He highlights the shame of being troubled by worldly lacks when God has given us Himself as our greatest treasure. Ultimately, Brooks encourages Christians to recognize their immense spiritual wealth compared to the fleeting riches of the world.
Text
"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for
us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously
give us all things?" Romans 8:32.
O Christian! all the attributes of God are so engaged
for you, that you cannot lack; and all the promises of
God are so engaged to you that you cannot lack; and
all the affections of God are so set upon you that you
cannot lack; and why then should you fear for your
necessities?
O sirs! has God given you His Son, His Spirit, His grace,
His glory, yes, Himself--and will He deny you lesser things?
Has He given you those things which are more worth than
ten thousand worlds--and will He not give you bread to eat,
and clothing to put on? Has He given you those spiritual
riches that infinitely exceed and excel all the riches, rubies,
and pearls in the world--and will He deny you a little money
in your purses to afford your necessities until you come to
heaven? Has He given you a crown--and will He deny
you a crust? Has He given you His royal robes--and will He
deny you a few rags? Has He given you a royal palace--and
will He deny you a poor cottage to shelter you from the stormy
winter and from the scorching summer? Does He feed His
enemies, and clothe His enemies, and protect His enemies,
and provide for His enemies--who are under His wrath and
curse--and will He not do as much for you, O you of little faith?
Will He do so much for those who hate Him--and will He not
do as much for those who love Him? Doubtless He will. Will He
feed the ravens, and provide for the ox and the donkey, and
clothe the grass of the field; and will He allow you, who are
His love, His joy, His delight, to starve at His feet, for lack of
necessities? Surely not!
O Christians! if God has given you Himself for a portion, then
certainly it is a sinful thing, a shameful thing, an unworthy thing
for you to be so troubled, afflicted, and grieved--because you
lack this and that worldly contentment and enjoyment--which
God bestows upon such whose wickedness has debased them
below the ox and the donkey, I mean, men of beastly spirits,
and beastly principles, and beastly practices.
As Benjamin's portion was five times greater than his brethren;
so those who have God for their portion have five thousand times
a greater portion than the wicked of the world, whose portion only
lies in perishing trifles, and in foolish vanities.
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Attributes and Promises
- A. God's attributes are engaged for our benefit
- B. God's promises are engaged to meet our needs
- II. God's Provision for Our Necessities
- A. God provides for our physical needs
- B. God provides for our spiritual needs
- III. The Unworthiness of Lack
- A. It is sinful to be troubled by worldly contentment
- B. We have a greater portion in God than the wicked
Key Quotes
“Has He given you those things which are more worth than ten thousand worlds--and will He not give you bread to eat, and clothing to put on?” — Thomas Brooks
“Will He do so much for those who hate Him--and will He not do as much for those who love Him?” — Thomas Brooks
“As Benjamin's portion was five times greater than his brethren; so those who have God for their portion have five thousand times a greater portion than the wicked of the world,” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- It is sinful to be troubled by worldly contentment when you have God as your portion.
- God will provide for your physical and spiritual needs if you have Him as your portion.
- You have a greater portion in God than the wicked of the world.