The Lord teaches us to address our personal needs in the 4th petition. Our daily bread! He addresses this before the forgiveness of sins...not to make us carnally minded (neither to spiritualize this petition) but no child of God can walk without his physical necessities being met. The seeking of His Kingdom and the glory of His name are dependent on our daily existence. It is not carnal but it recognizes we need our daily bread in order to function to His glory!

Meaning: It is tempting to spiritualize this petition and many speak of the bread as the bread of life. Many scriptural passages speak to this as well, but it is not the point of scripture. Christ does not negate daily bread, but states "man does not live by bread ALONE!" He nourished the 5000 and the problem was they followed Him for bread ONLY. We must us this petition spiritually for the daily needs we have to function to His glory. They are not an end in and of themselves either. First our heart is God, His kingdom, His glory...and that will only happen if we are sustained!

Implication: Not luxuries or affluence, but we ask God to supply our daily necessities in asking for our "daily bread." THIS day, our DAILY bread! I have necessities that pertain to THIS day as Thy servant in Thy kingdom who is in the midst of this world and in this earthly body. It is not for the affluence, the greed of the flesh, but our daily needs as they differ from day to day and year to year here below as I have need that God will provide me this day! We live close to God (not flexing the arm of the flesh) and that God WILL supply my daily needs. Not us, but God! "The Lord willing!" It is all subject to God as He provides as the "overflowing fountain." Apart from the blessing of God we toil in vain. Except God has His hands on these things or blesses us we have nothing! It is all of God and we fall on our knees and pray "give us this day our daily bread" as we stand completely and totally dependent on God!

Our Trust: It is easy to be content when we have plenty, but what if we have to scrape by? If we have very little? Or in the end of the ages when we will not be able to buy and sell? "Neither give me poverty or riches..." that I may live wholeheartedly in this petition. Will He not supply your every need? Not in the way we may like or appreciate at times, but He will always give us our daily needs...and that is trust!

So difficult as we are so often carnally minded and don't want to look to others for our needs...not even God often times! The old timers use to put things in order of God, church, and Christian schools FIRST and all the rest would be supplied. He WILL do it and will give us all things as He is willing and able for Jesus' sake.