Which of the four persons' reasonings overemphasize man's activity? Which wrongly underemphasize God's providence? Why?

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

- Deuteronomy 29:29

What mistakes are made in the following persons' reasonings?

1. "I am not going to cultivate, fertilize, and irrigate my field as my neighbors do. If it is in God's providence that I will be blessed with a good harvest, I will be blessed; and if not, nothing that I can do will change that."

2. "I know that I will have a good crop this year. I've used the best fertilizer and irrigation system. I can't wait to see the volume of my harvest!"

3. "No, I do not really study the Bible or read any religious books, except a chapter from the Bible at mealtimes. I don't really care for reading. Besides, I don't believe in salvation by works. If I am one of God's elect and it is in His plan to save me, I will be saved. If not, nothing that I can do will change that."

4. "I know that I will be saved. I have been born and raised in a Christian home, attended a Christian school, and am a member of a Christian church. I regularly read religious material, pray, and have personal devotions."

We must follow God's command - His revealed will - to actively use His means; realizing, however, that we are totally dependent upon His blessing. Without His blessing, we can accomplish nothing.

God can accomplish His purposes without means. He sustained Moses, Elijah, and the Lord Jesus for forty days without food, but His normal manner is to use means. God healed many people from disease instantly through a word or touch of the apostles, but His usual way is to work through means.

When God works in a special and extraordinary manner, we call this a "miracle." As the almighty Creator and Governor of heaven and earth, God can intervene by suspending or altering the normal