The main religious group in Germany by the late 1700s were the Lutherans. As Lutheranism developed, however, the original cry of Martin Luther “Salvation by Faith Alone” became “salvation by believing in the right doctrine.” Most Lutherans thought that if you believed the right things about God and Jesus, then you were going to go to heaven. Some believers, though, were reading their Bibles and firmly believed that it mattered just as much how one lived in Christ. These were called Pietists, and they focused on the reading of God’s word and in living holy lives before God.
His Story:
George Muller, a young man in the early 1800s, was raised a Lutheran, but became influenced by the Pietists in Germany. Excited to live a life of faith in God, he traveled to England to be a missionary to the Jews there. When he arrived in England, he met some members of the Brethren movement, who believed that Christians should not participate in the affairs of earthly government and in simple living.
Muller decided to live according to Scripture’s radical way. He and his wife gave away all of their property, and refused to accept a pastor’s salary, instead receiving only what was given to them through offerings. One of the main ways a church would receive money in those days is by families “renting” pews—paying a certain amount per year in order to have a seat reserved especially for them. Muller stopped that practice, saying that seats in a church should not be sold to the highest bidder. All of these changes left Muller in a difficult situation. He now had no regular income with which to pay for his food and clothing. He and his wife made due with little, but when they were in great need, they did not go to the wealthy people and ask for funds. Rather, they prayed to God and asked him for what they needed. During that time, they learned that God would provide for all their needs and they could live by depending only on the Lord.
A congregation in Bristol, England asked Muller to take the pulpit there. George began preaching about giving to the poor and needy. Suddenly, there was a terrible outbreak of cholera, a terrible disease, that killed many people in Bristol. Muller believed that God was calling him and his wife to assist the poor during this time. They helped many survive that disease. After this, Muller decided to open an orphanage for children without parents to live in and to learn God’s word in. Again, they prayed to the Lord and let their intentions be known, but they did not ask anyone for money. This was their experiment—would God provide for them, if they only ask for their needs in prayer?
But God came through. Money came in, a building was provided as well as all of the necessary food and clothing. Many times there was not enough food to feed all of the children, but the Mullers and their helpers would pray and—in the last minute before the meal—food or funds would come in to provide for the children’s needs. George wrote a journal of his experiences day by day, to testify to God’s power and provision. By the end of his life, the account books showed that George Muller gave away about 3 million dollars that he had never asked for!
Jesus told his disciples to completely trust in God for their provision. They could feel free to completely surrender their whole lives to building God’s kingdom, because God would grant them everything they need. Jesus himself lived this out, depending on others to provide for him and his disciples as he traveled around and taught about God’s kingdom. George followed this principle precisely, and Jesus provided his example just as the economics of the whole world was changing, to show that trust in God never becomes outdated.
A Word From Our Sponsor:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?… You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' … But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Matthew 6:19-21, 25, 31, 33-34
Helpful Hint: Trusting in God’s Provision
Most people clamor and seek other people to provide for their daily needs—jobs, handouts, security from people. However, the Faithful look only to God for their support, only to Him for their provision. Anthony was in the desert, depending on God for food. George Muller never asked from anyone, but waited on God alone to provide. As we will see, Hudson Taylor sent his missionaries out without their provision to do the task, and they all prayed to God to provide. To be faithful to God is to trust that God would be the Good Father he is and to give all that his children need.
Check It Out:
The Autobiography of George Muller
George Muller of Bristol by A.T. Pierson
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