The concept of "afford" in the Bible is not directly addressed with the specific term as used in modern English. However, the idea of affording, or having the means to provide or sustain, is woven throughout the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of God's provision, stewardship, and the responsibilities of believers.

Divine Provision

The Bible frequently emphasizes God's ability to provide for His people, ensuring that they have what they need to fulfill His purposes. In Philippians 4:19 , the Apostle Paul assures believers, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the belief that God affords His children the necessary resources, both spiritual and material, to live according to His will.

In the Old Testament, God's provision is evident in the account of the Israelites in the wilderness. Despite their lack of resources, God provided manna from heaven and water from a rock (Exodus 16-17), demonstrating His ability to afford sustenance in seemingly impossible situations.

Stewardship and Responsibility

The Bible also speaks to the responsibility of individuals to manage what they have been given wisely. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the importance of using one's resources effectively. The servants who wisely invested their master's money were rewarded, while the one who did nothing with his talent was reprimanded. This parable highlights the expectation that believers should afford careful stewardship of their resources, using them to further God's kingdom.

Generosity and Giving

Affording generosity is another biblical principle. Believers are encouraged to give to others, trusting that God will continue to provide for their needs. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 , Paul writes, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

This passage suggests that affording generosity is not merely about financial capability but also about the willingness to trust in God's provision and to prioritize the needs of others.

Contentment and Trust

The Bible also teaches contentment with what one can afford. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8 , Paul advises, "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these." This perspective encourages believers to trust in God's provision and to find satisfaction in what they have, rather than constantly seeking more.

Conclusion

While the Bible may not use the term "afford" explicitly, the principles surrounding God's provision, stewardship, generosity, and contentment provide a comprehensive understanding of how believers are to view and manage their resources. These teachings encourage a reliance on God's ability to provide, a commitment to wise stewardship, and a heart of generosity and contentment.1. (v. t.) To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an abundant supply of fish.

2. (v. t.) To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a good life affords consolation in old age.

3. (v. t.) To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity.

4. (v. t.) To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; -- with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough.

3930. parecho -- to furnish, to present
... Definition: act. and mid: I offer, provide, confer, afford, give, bring, show,
cause. 3930 (from ... supplies (1). offer, show, afford. From para ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3930.htm - 8k6329. puq -- to bring out, furnish, promote
... give (1), obtain (1), obtains (2), promote (1). afford, draw out, further,
get, obtain. A primitive root (identical with puwq through ...
/hebrew/6329.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... root Definition hand NASB Word Usage abandon* (1), able (1), able* (1), addition*
(1), afford* (4), against* (3), allegiance (1), allegiance* (1), along (1 ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

5381. nasag -- to reach, overtake
... root Definition to reach, overtake NASB Word Usage able* (1), afford* (2), attained
(1), becomes sufficient (1), caught (1), find (1), insufficient (2), last ...
/hebrew/5381.htm - 6k

4672. matsa -- to attain to, find
... root Definition to attain to, find NASB Word Usage actually found (1), afford*
(1), befall (1), befallen (2), befell (1), came (2), caught (5), come (6), comes ...
/hebrew/4672.htm - 6k

5060. naga -- to touch, reach, strike
... root Definition to touch, reach, strike NASB Word Usage add (1), afford* (1), apply
(1), arrive (1), arrived (4), attained (1), attains (1), bring down (1 ...
/hebrew/5060.htm - 6k

The Sense and Certainty of this Election Afford to the Children of ...
... First Head of Doctrine. Divine Election and Reprobation Article 13 The sense and
certainty of this election afford to the children of God additional matter? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/article 13 the sense and.htm

What Comfort Does the "Resurrection of the Body" Afford Thee?
... Lord's Day 22 Question 57 What comfort does the "resurrection of the body" afford
thee? What comfort does the "resurrection of the body" afford thee? ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 57 what comfort does.htm

Marcion's Own Antitheses, if Only the Title and Object of the Work ...
... Chapter XXIX."Marcion's Own Antitheses, If Only the Title and Object of the Work
Be Excepted, Afford Proofs of the Consistent Attributes of the True God. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxix marcions own antitheses if.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... defer for a few days communicating the particulars of my journey, though they are
not destitute of interest, having at present information to afford which I ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 25.htm

A Sermon on a Text not Found in the Bible.
... the one who has most of God in him will hurry to say, "Come, now, let us reason
together." We need not to say that common-place religion cannot afford to do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xli a sermon on a.htm

Our Stronghold
... the next verse" "The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in
his own conceit." The rich man feels that his wealth may afford him comfort ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/our stronghold.htm

The Praying Christ
... lesson which Christ's prayers teach us, for we all need it, that no life is so high,
so holy, so full of habitual communion with God, that it can afford to do ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the praying christ.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... I now proceed to give an account of my stewardship up to the present time, which
account I humbly trust will afford perfect satisfaction to the Society which ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 7.htm

Paragraphs from Notable Speeches
... subject of complaint; and that whatever intrinsic merit parts of the book may be
supposed or even admitted to possess, such merit can afford no justification ...
/.../paragraphs from notable speeches.htm

Prudence and Faith
... There sprang up in his mind at once the cowardly and ignoble thought: 'I cannot
afford to do what is right, because it will cost me a hundred talents,' and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/prudence and faith.htm

Afford (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit,
or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth affords fruit ...
/a/afford.htm - 11k

Turtledoves (10 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:7 "'If he can't afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering
for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to ...
/t/turtledoves.htm - 9k

Doves (25 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:7 "'If he can't afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering
for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to ...
/d/doves.htm - 14k

Pigeons (14 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:7 "'If he can't afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering
for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to ...
/p/pigeons.htm - 11k

Insufficient (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:11 "'But if he can't afford two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then
he shall bring his offering for that in which he has sinned, the tenth part ...
/i/insufficient.htm - 7k

Ephah (55 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:11 "'But if he can't afford two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then
he shall bring his offering for that in which he has sinned, the tenth part ...
/e/ephah.htm - 27k

Promise (112 Occurrences)
... payment of money. 6. (vt) To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or
assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain. 7. (vt) To make ...
/p/promise.htm - 42k

Flour (69 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 5:11 "'But if he can't afford two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then
he shall bring his offering for that in which he has sinned, the tenth part ...
/f/flour.htm - 32k

Ebionites
... The quotations from the Gospel according to the Hebrews-the only gospel the Ebionites
received-likewise afford means of appreciating their views. ...
/e/ebionites.htm - 34k

Ebionism
... The quotations from the Gospel according to the Hebrews-the only gospel the Ebionites
received-likewise afford means of appreciating their views. ...
/e/ebionism.htm - 34k

Should a Christian use a credit card? | GotQuestions.org

What are a priori, a posteriori, and a fortiori arguments? | GotQuestions.org

What is Sikhism? | GotQuestions.org

Afford: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus