My son and granddaughter were at the shops when they arrived at the checkout. After the cashier gave him the total, my son answered in true laconic Aussie fashion, “That’s alright.”

My granddaughter immediately backed him up. “Yes, that’s alright. My Daddy is rich!”

The unexpected announcement drew chuckles from everyone within earshot.

The funny thing is that my son isn’t rich. At least, not by worldly standards. But in my granddaughter’s eyes, he has everything she needs. He always seems to have money for ice creams, school supplies, birthday presents, and the little treats that make life special. She has complete confidence in his ability to provide.

As I reflected on that story, I was reminded of how often children’s ministry leaders worry about resources.

“We don’t have enough volunteers.”

“Our budget is too small.”

“We need new equipment.”

“Our classrooms are inadequate.”

“The church is facing financial pressure.”

These concerns are real. Anyone who has served in ministry for long enough knows what it feels like to stare at a need and wonder how it will be met.

Yet Scripture repeatedly reminds us that we serve a Father whose resources are unlimited.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Notice that Paul does not say God will meet our needs according to our church budget, our attendance figures, or the state of the economy. He will meet our needs according to His riches.

Our heavenly Father never faces a shortage.

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

He controls every resource in the universe.

He can open doors that seem firmly shut.

He can provide volunteers we never expected.

He can prompt generous giving.

He can multiply what appears insufficient.

Of course, this doesn’t mean every ministry gets everything it wants. Sometimes God works through abundance, and sometimes He works through simplicity. Sometimes He provides resources, and sometimes He teaches us to depend on Him more deeply.

But He is never caught off guard by our needs.

Looking back over many years of children’s ministry, I have seen God provide again and again. A volunteer arrives just when a team is stretched to breaking point. A donor purchases needed equipment. Someone with a specialised skill offers their help. A church member discovers a passion for serving children. Resources appear at precisely the right time.

Often, these blessings arrive in ways we could never have planned ourselves.

Perhaps that’s because God wants us to remember where the provision comes from.

Not from our cleverness.

Not from our fundraising strategies.

Not from our ability to stretch a budget.

Ultimately, the blessing comes from Him.

Children have a wonderful ability to trust. My granddaughter wasn’t anxiously calculating bank balances or wondering whether her father could afford the groceries. She simply knew, “My Daddy is rich.”

What if children’s ministry leaders carried the same confidence?

Not confidence in ourselves.

Not confidence in our programmes.

Not confidence in our resources.

Confidence in our Father.

The next time you face a ministry need that seems impossible, remember whose ministry it really is. The children belong to Him. The church belongs to Him. The resources belong to Him.

Our Father is rich beyond measure! 

And He is more than able to provide whatever is needed to accomplish His purposes.