Why do Christians tell you you shouldn't ask GOD for material things?

[Pilgrimshope]

I'm 68. still working to get by. I've had Christians who own a home, have nice car, nice retirement account so they don't have to work. But tell me I shouldn't be asking GOD for material things. I remind them, everything you have is from the hand of GOD. Yet somehow, my asking GOD for any material thing is wrong. I don't get it.

I think it’s more about why we’re asking is it from a selfish motivation ? Or a generous one ?

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:2-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

sometimes if our needs are met day to day is a good thing and having too much is a bad thing depending on the state of our own heart greedy or money hungry person will destroy themselves with money but someone who doesnt care either way and has intentions of doing good for others will bless with it

God already knows our needs better than us he’s promised to
Meet them but hasn’t promised to make us rich in the world or we’ll off but that we will have our needs met daily

money isn’t evil but can lead to destruction of our heart isnt right

“But they that will be ( desire to be ) rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:9-12‬ ‭KJV‬

I’m not saying throw of you or anything sounds like you just want enough to get by and be comfortable I’m just saying it’s a pretty tricky matter ot depends on the state and shape of our heart and whether money means too much to us I’d rather live under a bridge than be led into temptations and err from salvstion with a big bank account material blessings in Christ are a bi product and not the goal or intent

one day brother you will have all things at your grasp even eternal Life in the presence of God look forward into thy riches of his glory

 

[JohnDB]

First off...
Work is good...it was a gift to Adam with the Garden in Eden for him to work. Gardening was the First job.

It's up to the Earth to make your efforts fruitful. See what God says to Cain after he murdered his brother if you want to argue about it.

Now God can bless your efforts...
Because God believes that man should work and his spouse should help him. God can bless these efforts or not. But God usually has you on the path or position in life that He wants you on. Your attitude is all that you really own about it all. Either God is right and your Savior, or God is wrong.

There is a lot more to a man's life than his possessions. But his attitude about his possessions is very telling about his life.

 

[JohnB]

I think it’s more about why we’re asking is it from a selfish motivation ? Or a generous one ?

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:2-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

sometimes if our needs are met day to day is a good thing and having too much is a bad thing depending on the state of our own heart greedy or money hungry person will destroy themselves with money but someone who doesnt care either way and has intentions of doing good for others will bless with it

God already knows our needs better than us he’s promised to
Meet them but hasn’t promised to make us rich in the world or we’ll off but that we will have our needs met daily

money isn’t evil but can lead to destruction of our heart isnt right

“But they that will be ( desire to be ) rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:9-12‬ ‭KJV‬

I’m not saying throw of you or anything sounds like you just want enough to get by and be comfortable I’m just saying it’s a pretty tricky matter ot depends on the state and shape of our heart and whether money means too much to us I’d rather live under a bridge than be led into temptations and err from salvstion with a big bank account material blessings in Christ are a bi product and not the goal or intent

one day brother you will have all things at your grasp even eternal Life in the presence of God look forward into thy riches of his glory

After all I've done for the church and people, I'm barely getting by. I was on my way to a nice retirement, when the LORD told me to take care of my mother. She had dementia and needed 24 hour care. I lost my job, drained my retirement savings taking care of her for 7 years. While I sacrificed doing what the LORD asked me to do, I have very little to show for it. I had two siblings who were about to be homeless and the LORD said to take them in. I did. I helped both to get their Social Security and pensions. Once they had them they left. They had no intention of helping me out. They got what they wanted and left. My family did almost nothing for her care, yet they are prospering.
I've had Christians say, GOD only promised to meet your daily needs. That makes GOD look really cheap. I've asked these same people "Do you have a saving? 401K? Retirement plan? Nice house?" Every time they have said. "yes" So I guess they're not depending on GOD for their daily needs. Am I asking to be rich, "NO" but it would be nice to have an income so I don't have to continue working. The rest of my family have enough income, they don't have to work. Where are the blessings for being a faithful steward?

 

[Bob-Carabbio]

Where in the bible does it tell you not to ask GOD for material things?

Right HERE:




Want to see it again???

"Christian Amateur Theologians" say STUPID GARBAGE all the time. Familiarity with the Bible will reduce their ignorant "Pontifications" to nothing more than "background Noise".

 

[Pilgrimshope]

After all I've done for the church and people, I'm barely getting by. I was on my way to a nice retirement, when the LORD told me to take care of my mother. She had dementia and needed 24 hour care. I lost my job, drained my retirement savings taking care of her for 7 years. While I sacrificed doing what the LORD asked me to do, I have very little to show for it. I had two siblings who were about to be homeless and the LORD said to take them in. I did. I helped both to get their Social Security and pensions. Once they had them they left. They had no intention of helping me out. They got what they wanted and left. My family did almost nothing for her care, yet they are prospering.
I've had Christians say, GOD only promised to meet your daily needs. That makes GOD look really cheap. I've asked these same people "Do you have a saving? 401K? Retirement plan? Nice house?" Every time they have said. "yes" So I guess they're not depending on GOD for their daily needs. Am I asking to be rich, "NO" but it would be nice to have an income so I don't have to continue working. The rest of my family have enough income, they don't have to work. Where are the blessings for being a faithful steward?

yeah that’s what I was saying I wasn’t saying that of you , it sounded to me like you just want to be comfortable but reading your post there it sounds like your pretty focused on what “you’ve sacrificed “

“sacrificed doing what the LORD asked me to do, I have very little to show for it.”

that’s sort of that last sentance I left before if you think you don’t have much to show for it your not looking in the right place

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I didn’t think it before but reading your answer there it seems like your kind of bitter as of God had you do some good things and now you are thinking you wasted it and have nothing to show for it

how about you took care of your beloved mother when she needed you you honored the one who gave birth to you when she needed it Most ? Is that not a reward in your eyes ? It seems like one to me an honor you performed

we’re you expecting a financial reward ?

All I was getting at brother , is the people who are saying “ don’t ask god for material thkngs “ the question you posed I was saying “ it’s not a bad thing to do , but if it’s coming from a selfish place or if a person has greedy issues ( again as I said before I’m not saying this of you ) but was saying that’s probably why people have misunderstood and say “ don’t ask god for those things “

you took it as personal I eas trying to offer an opinion about the question you posed “why do people say that ?”

I wasn’t talking about you but why people might think that

I hope that clears it up a little , but after your response it seems you may need to refocus because there’s always ot to show for honoring what God has led you to do like caring for your dear mother in her greatest time of need

you may not ever receive a big check for doing that , but you do have much to show for it you just have to look on the right world the one where all your blessings are and not so much this world

most of Christs rewards are after you leave this world he’s giving you everlasting life if you don’t have everything you wish now , maybe it’s enough that you have everything you need

 

[JohnB]

yeah that’s what I was saying I wasn’t saying that of you , it sounded to me like you just want to be comfortable but reading your post there it sounds like your pretty focused on what “you’ve sacrificed “

“sacrificed doing what the LORD asked me to do, I have very little to show for it.”

that’s sort of that last sentance I left before if you think you don’t have much to show for it your not looking in the right place

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I didn’t think it before but reading your answer there it seems like your kind of bitter as of God had you do some good things and now you are thinking you wasted it and have nothing to show for it

how about you took care of your beloved mother when she needed you you honored the one who gave birth to you when she needed it Most ? Is that not a reward in your eyes ? It seems like one to me an honor you performed

we’re you expecting a financial reward ?

All I was getting at brother , is the people who are saying “ don’t ask god for material thkngs “ the question you posed I was saying “ it’s not a bad thing to do , but if it’s coming from a selfish place or if a person has greedy issues ( again as I said before I’m not saying this of you ) but was saying that’s probably why people have misunderstood and say “ don’t ask god for those things “

you took it as personal I eas trying to offer an opinion about the question you posed “why do people say that ?”

I wasn’t talking about you but why people might think that

I hope that clears it up a little , but after your response it seems you may need to refocus because there’s always ot to show for honoring what God has led you to do like caring for your dear mother in her greatest time of need

you may not ever receive a big check for doing that , but you do have much to show for it you just have to look on the right world the one where all your blessings are and not so much this world

most of Christs rewards are after you leave this world he’s giving you everlasting life if you don’t have everything you wish now , maybe it’s enough that you have everything you need

The idea from some, while GOD has blessed them with more than enough, I should be happy just to get my daily needs met. It seems they think I shouldn't ask for anything more.

 

[Runningman]

I'm 68. still working to get by. I've had Christians who own a home, have nice car, nice retirement account so they don't have to work. But tell me I shouldn't be asking GOD for material things. I remind them, everything you have is from the hand of GOD. Yet somehow, my asking GOD for any material thing is wrong. I don't get it.

Proverbs 30:8,9
8Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Solomon seems to be asking God for just enough material things to be comfortable. Not excess nor lacking.

 

[JohnB]

Proverbs 30:8,9
8Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Solomon seems to be asking God for just enough material things to be comfortable. Not excess nor lacking.

Solomon got far more than just enough to get by on.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.....Malachi 3:10

 

[Runningman]

Solomon got far more than just enough to get by on.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.....Malachi 3:10

Well, not everyone can responsibly handle riches like Solomon had. Everyone wants riches, but for some people it’s actually a mercy if God doesn’t give it to them. Solomon said having too much can lead to disowning God.

As far as Malachi 3:10 goes, if your heart is in the right place then ask God to swing the floodgates open. Keep in mind, though, if you read the context of that passage you’ll see that this is a conditional promise.

 

[JohnB]

Well, not everyone can responsibly handle riches like Solomon had. Everyone wants riches, but for some people it’s actually a mercy if God doesn’t give it to them. Solomon said having too much can lead to disowning God.

As far as Malachi 3:10 goes, if your heart is in the right place then ask God to swing the floodgates open. Keep in mind, though, if you read the context of that passage you’ll see that this is a conditional promise.

I think the better response to someone who has far less is, I pray GOD will answer your request. Instead of saying, you should be happy with what little you have.

 

[JaumeJ]

I agree we should ask, I just don't understand Christians telling you not to ask.

Perhaps they think that you or others are notkeeping in mind how we are not to worry about tomorrow, or about how we should consider the lilies or look upon the sparrows in flight.
When or if we need help, having the bove in our hearts and we ask for anything it is because we beliee Him, the above and His care for us, as also being stressed above.
Let those who worry, continue worrying about this, I believe the above anddI beliee talking to Him is no contradiction. We affirm by relying upon Him. But, we must leave all to His will. I believe I do this.

 

[Runningman]

I think the better response to someone who has far less is, I pray GOD will answer your request. Instead of saying, you should be happy with what little you have.

I agree and I didn’t say that. I wasn’t aware you were making a prayer request. If yes then I’d be happy to pray for you.

 

[Gideon300]

I'm 68. still working to get by. I've had Christians who own a home, have nice car, nice retirement account so they don't have to work. But tell me I shouldn't be asking GOD for material things. I remind them, everything you have is from the hand of GOD. Yet somehow, my asking GOD for any material thing is wrong. I don't get it.

Some Christians are just dumb, spiritually, that is. God has promised to meet all our needs if we will meet His conditions. One of those conditions is simple. Ask Him. (James 4:2, Philippians 4:6)

Christians who tell you not to ask are ignorant of God's word and God's ways. God loves to give. I've learned that by experience. He will meet our needs but not give us what could harm us.

 

[Gideon300]

I've had Christian friends tell me that. I'm on Social Security, doing part time work to make ends meet and been told I shouldn't ask GOD for material things. At the same time, GOD has blessed them with a nice income and home.

God holds them responsible for what they say and what they do or do not do. If they refuse to help a needy brother, they are sinning.

 

[Lanolin]

?

I am sure God gets requests for material things all the time.
I always tell God whats on my shopping list anyway...I thought everyone did this.

 

[Jackson123]

I'm 68. still working to get by. I've had Christians who own a home, have nice car, nice retirement account so they don't have to work. But tell me I shouldn't be asking GOD for material things. I remind them, everything you have is from the hand of GOD. Yet somehow, my asking GOD for any material thing is wrong. I don't get it.

you can ask what ever you want, than God decide if you need it or not, He decide if what you ask will do good or not
every body want comfortable life and most people think to be comfortable one must rich
the fact is not every rich happy

 

[Gojira]

I'm 68. still working to get by. I've had Christians who own a home, have nice car, nice retirement account so they don't have to work. But tell me I shouldn't be asking GOD for material things. I remind them, everything you have is from the hand of GOD. Yet somehow, my asking GOD for any material thing is wrong. I don't get it.

The rich person has no business telling the poor person how to be happy in their poverty.

Of course we need to be sure that we're not praying "amiss", or that our desires are not idolatrous. But, I've prayed for all sorts of things: spiritual, emotional, physical/medical and material. I try to maintain a proper balance when I do make my requests, and that's probably all we can do.

 

[Gojira]

I think the better response to someone who has far less is, I pray GOD will answer your request. Instead of saying, you should be happy with what little you have.

Hmm... trying to think of what to say. I've skimmed through the responses, and I think there is something in most of them.

However, I understand how you feel. You sacrificed and expected God to have your back. And, you feel like He hasn't done that. Would you have obeyed Him if you knew the current outcome?

Maybe... ask God for contentment in your current situation. Ask Him to help you trust Him when it seems like He was unfaithful. This requires humility. It requires a love for God greater than anyone or anything else, and it requires us to remind ourselves of who God is and who we are. I always try to remind myself of Christ, and how He BLED asking God for something, and He said "no". Jesus still wanted God's will and glory over His own comfort. We ALL need to be like that. That inner quality should be part of our prayers.

Maybe also ask Him to point out any sin in your life that might have caused Him to pull back.

On a more practical level: Have you considered talking to a financial advisor? They may be able to point you in the direction of options you've never heard of or considered.

 

[JohnB]

Hmm... trying to think of what to say. I've skimmed through the responses, and I think there is something in most of them.

However, I understand how you feel. You sacrificed and expected God to have your back. And, you feel like He hasn't done that. Would you have obeyed Him if you knew the current outcome?

Maybe... ask God for contentment in your current situation. Ask Him to help you trust Him when it seems like He was unfaithful. This requires humility. It requires a love for God greater than anyone or anything else, and it requires us to remind ourselves of who God is and who we are. I always try to remind myself of Christ, and how He BLED asking God for something, and He said "no". Jesus still wanted God's will and glory over His own comfort. We ALL need to be like that. That inner quality should be part of our prayers.

Maybe also ask Him to point out any sin in your life that might have caused Him to pull back.

On a more practical level: Have you considered talking to a financial advisor? They may be able to point you in the direction of options you've never heard of or considered.

I'm 68, no money left in my retirement fund, I do have Social Security and what I make from mystery shopping. A financial advisor would not help....UNLESS...the LORD picks the winning lottery numbers for me. "We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. " Proverbs 16:33

 

[JohnRH]

I'm 68. still working to get by. I've had Christians who own a home, have nice car, nice retirement account so they don't have to work. But tell me I shouldn't be asking GOD for material things. I remind them, everything you have is from the hand of GOD. Yet somehow, my asking GOD for any material thing is wrong. I don't get it.

I think it's fine to ask God for material things as long you request it with a 'not my will but Yours be done' understanding. Just make sure you're seeking God's kingdom & righteousness foremost (Matt. 6:33).

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (KJV)

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalms 37:4 (KJV)