The British Nutrition Foundation questioned 27,500 children and youth aged 5 to 16 about the origins of food. Nearly a third of UK primary pupils believe cheese is made from plants and a quarter said fish fingers come from chicken or pigs. The survey also revealed that some of the younger pupils thought that pasta and bread were made from meat. The BNF thinks this is tragic and is striving to educate students about where food comes from.
What’s even more tragic, however, is when believers in Jesus don’t understand the “ultimate” origin of their food. When God created the world, He provided food for us. In Mesopotamian mythology, people were to provide food for the gods. Genesis affirms that it’s the other way around—God created edibles for us. He blessed Adam and Eve with all kinds of things to eat (Genesis 1:29-30). He made the ground fruitful by causing crops to grow through His sovereign will. He promised to send the seasonal rains, and He declared that the land would yield good crops and the trees of the field would produce fruit to eat (Leviticus 26:4). As long as the earth remained, God would never leave people without evidence of Himself and His goodness—especially through the provision of food.
God’s goodness and faithfulness can lead us to respond in varying ways. One way might be to humbly acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all our food. He uses various means to provide for us, but it all originates from His sovereign hand. And recognizing that God is the ultimate source of what we eat can lead to heartfelt gratitude that flows into generosity. As we share our food with others—particularly those in need—we reflect the loving ways God provides for us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 27:57-66
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 9:10 to see more about God and His provision for us.
Next:
What are some attitudes that can keep you from recognizing God as the ultimate source of your food? What are some practical actions you can take this week to show that God provides what you eat?
godlove on September 27, 2016 at 4:44 am
I want to start off my protesting against that picture! It’s way too early to start looking forward to my lunch-break 😉 When I was still a kid, my (now late) grandmum usually told us a story explaining how each time chickens try to swallow grains or when they are drinking water, they lift up their heads to say thank you to God. It is indeed true that “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father” (James 1:17). Sometimes I try to imagine what it could have been like for Moses and the Israelites, during their journey in the desert, to have their food provided directly by GOD every single day! But then, I think it’s not very different for us today because He does provide the food we eat as well, as Jesus says in Luke 12:24 “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” Thank you Marvin, for this excellent (and mouth-watering) reminder that GOD is indeed our Great Provider. Praise the Lord! Blessed day to all; with love.
gagirllive on September 27, 2016 at 7:34 am
I love the chicken story from your beloved grandmum, godlove! What a cute way to help you remember to always give thanks. Sounds like she was full of wisdom. And so are you!
godlove on September 27, 2016 at 10:55 am
That was precisely the point of the story, to teach us from very young age about remembering to always give thanks to God, even like chickens do. Thank you so much for your kind words, gagirl, I really appreciate. I pray that if I’m blessed with the years, I would have even half as much wisdom to pass on as I learnt from my beloved Grandma. And as I learn on here from you as well 🙂
Gary Shultz on September 27, 2016 at 6:03 am
Marvin, you’re at it again with this food stuff before we get to eat. I don’t know godlove’s schedule, but maybe before lunch for him, but it’s the morning food hunt for me. Realistically, God had in His original plan, a close bond between the earth, our food, and Himself. I think that will be seen in the future. I grew up on the farm, so I’m acutely aware of how the food chain works. God enlisted us to help harvest food for our needs and to take part in His blessing. It can still be that simple to give thanks for our food, it still comes from God, regardless how they chop, mix, stamp, or prep it. I would encourage believers regardless of where they are at, to stop bow their heads and give thanks before they eat. It is a small token of thanks, but it is largely seen by others. You do occasionally see people pause and give thanks. Unfortunately a herd of believers gulp and swish food down without a thought. We all know the “hungry children in Africa” statement when it comes to wasting food. Well, keeping it positive, we have great promise for the enjoyment of food and the pleasure of sharing it before the Lord that provided it. When we get to glory you owe me some of this good looking food, and we’ll give thanks to our God with great joy. Thanks Marvin
gagirllive on September 27, 2016 at 7:44 am
So true, Gary. It’s becoming so rare (even here in the so-called Bible belt) to see people in the public square pause to pray before they eat their meal. Not even a thought goes to the God who feeds them! You’re right—when this small act is done, it is largely seen by others, and most importantly, glorifying to our Father in heaven. Appreciate you, BWO.
godlove on September 27, 2016 at 10:54 am
Gary, it’s quite true that the “simple” gesture of having a short silent prayer before a meal in public view, showing that we acknowledge God as the Giver, can have an impact in ways God alone knows. I had never really thought of it that way!
gagirllive on September 27, 2016 at 7:28 am
That does look quite yummy, Marvin…and unfamiliar. I don’t recognize a lot of those dishes, and being the adventurous foodie that I am, I’m ready to try them all! 🙂 Well, now I’m curious to know if the children here in the US would fare any better if asked those questions. I guess the days of “from farm to table” are long past us in many parts of our country. Where I live, the grade school-aged children still take field trips to dairies and farms. So there is hope! 🙂 Marvin, did you learn and recite this blessing as a child?
“God is great and God is good.
Let us thank Him for this food.
By His hand we all are fed.
Give us, LORD, our daily bread.”
I did, and I still pray a tweaked version of it today because it is profoundly simple and covers all that I want to acknowledge —praise for who God is, thanksgiving for what He has provided, confession that He is the Source of it all, and a trusting petition that He will meet my daily needs. I’m so grateful for every blessing from the Lord, but I must say that sitting at a table with family and friends and good food is one of my favorites. To be able to bow my head, hold hands with loved ones, and bless God for all that He is and all that He’s provided is something I never want to take for granted. I guess it really is a foretaste of glory—something to whet our appetites for the greatest banquet of all with our Beloved Groom. Can hardly wait for that! Thanks, Marvin, for bring us this encouragement today! A blessed day to all.
godlove on September 27, 2016 at 10:41 am
I didn’t know that one, gagirl but I like the words, it’s quite complete. If I may, as children we used to recite:
For health and strength and daily food,
we praise your Name O Lord.
sandy229 on September 27, 2016 at 12:02 pm
I remember that prayer GAgirl, we used to recite that one, the first two lines anyway. I didn’t know there was more, but I really like it. We also used to say,
“Come Lord Jesus, be our guest,
Bless this food that Thou has given us.”
God has given us everything we have, He provides all our needs, and all our food so I don’t see how anyone cannot be thankful and acknowledge what He has so freely given us.
Shalom to all
sandy229 on September 27, 2016 at 12:05 pm
oh I forgot the Amen after that prayer,
It should go, Come Lord Jesus be our guest, bless this food that Thou has given us, Amen.
gagirllive on September 27, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Hey, Sandy! So good to hear your “voice” here again and to know that you are well, dear sister. I like that short and sweet prayer you shared. I don’t usually like to say rote prayers, but these mealtime blessings that I learned as a child are just so sweet. I suppose as long as it’s from the heart, God is pleased, right?
sandy229 on September 27, 2016 at 7:07 pm
Thank you GAgirl, I am doing much better now, and I have been reading the comments every day, just not able to make many comments, but I do think as long as it’s from the heart, it’s ok. I don’t really like rote prayers either, but as long as they are from the heart, that is all that matters to God I think. Shalom
sim jing ying on September 27, 2016 at 10:12 am
The busyness on focusing on the world offers will change and deplete our focus on God, I’ll share bible verses to encourage them that God provides.
Gary Shultz on September 27, 2016 at 10:59 am
GG so glad you have been given an opportunity to share some of your knowledge, wisdom, and that great attitude into the lives of others. You will do well, you will be blessed as you bless others. Sorry read your post to late to respond yesterday.
gagirllive on September 27, 2016 at 3:59 pm
Thank you so much, Gary! I covet your prayers!