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

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
JohnB

JohnB

Well-known member
#81
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#81
montana123 said:
A Christian should not ask for material things for God only blesses us with our needs not our wants.

That is why the Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy which love is the fulfilling of the law which includes caring about the needs of people.

Anybody that goes by their wants does not love people like they should for people should come before our wants and if a person does not love people then they cannot receive salvation.

That is why Paul said out of faith, hope, and charity, love in action, charity is the greatest.

Paul said he can have all faith so that he can remove mountains but if he did not have charity then he is nothing.

And said if anybody preaches that godliness is gain which would mean money and material things for their wants withdraw yourselves from them having food and clothing be content.

For the love of money is the root of all evil for they care about money more than they do people that are poor and needy which is not love which some have coveted after money and erred from the faith.

James was talking about feeding and clothing people that if people have the means to help the poor and needy and they do not do it then their faith is dead which he said we are justified by our works and not faith alone which he is talking about works of helping people out with their needs.

Which Paul and James said the same thing care about the poor and needy which Paul said if you do not then you have erred from the faith and James said your faith is dead.

People argue over Paul and James and they say the same thing which Paul called it charity which is love in actions, works, and James calls it works.

John said if a person has this the means to help the poor and needy and they do not do it then the love of God does not dwell in them, so do not love in word nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth which deeds are works.

Paul said have works, James said have works, and John said have works, which love can only apply in your life if you have works of love which is charity.

Anybody that goes by money and material things do not love people like they should therefore they are not in a position to be saved for love is the fulfilling of the law and charity, love in action, is greater than faith.

No love, no faith, no salvation.

We are saved by faith, not by works, when we confess Christ because that is all we can do, but when we receive the Spirit then we have to have works of love to have faith apply in our life and love can only be done in action to apply in a person's life.

Which is why Paul said if he did not have charity, love in action, works, then he is nothing.

And James we are justified by works, and not faith alone.

And John if we do not have works of love then the love of God is not in us.

Because God loves people not blessing us with our wants.

Which is why the Bible says the saints appear poor to the world and having nothing for the world views riches as money and material things which God does not give but only our needs.

We can ask for material things as long as it is a need and not a want that is not necessary for our survival.
Click to expand...

If the want is to stop from barely getting by, it's not wrong to ask for more.
 
JohnB

JohnB

Well-known member
#82
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#82
RichMan said:
My response was about your quote of Phil 4:19 and was not aimed at you.
Sorry I was not more clear.
About wanting what others have was not about the person but the things, such as a bigger house, newer car, ETC. Not being satisfied and thankful for God's providing one's needs.
Click to expand...
Wanting enough so I don't have to work is not wrong. Wanting a new car, because the one you're driving is over 20 years old, is not wrong.
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#83
#83
JohnB said:
Wanting enough so I don't have to work is not wrong. Wanting a new car, because the one you're driving is over 20 years old, is not wrong.
Click to expand...
So you are not satisfied with what God has provided, you want more.
Be thankful you are still able to work. Many are not that blessed.
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#84
#84
JohnB said:
Wanting enough so I don't have to work is not wrong. Wanting a new car, because the one you're driving is over 20 years old, is not wrong.
Click to expand...
How do you propose that God give you that new car?
You just get up tomorrow and it is in the driveway?
You say you barely get by, but seem to expect God to just make what you want appear out of thin air.
It does not work that way.
 
JohnB

JohnB

Well-known member
#85
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#85
RichMan said:
How do you propose that God give you that new car?
You just get up tomorrow and it is in the driveway?
You say you barely get by, but seem to expect God to just make what you want appear out of thin air.
It does not work that way.
Click to expand...
It's called providing opportunities. I've known people who were out of work and someone knocked on their door offering them a job. I know one person who met his wife after calling a wrong number. Joseph did not work his way up from the prison to being the second in charge of Egypt.
 
JohnB

JohnB

Well-known member
#86
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#86
RichMan said:
So you are not satisfied with what God has provided, you want more.
Be thankful you are still able to work. Many are not that blessed.
Click to expand...
I was on my way to having a nice retirement, but GOD called me to take care of my mother and than keep one brother and one sister from becoming homeless. They left as soon as the got their Social Security and pensions, didn't care if I lost my home after helping them. I just managed to make rent both times.
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#87
#87
JohnB said:
It's called providing opportunities. I've known people who were out of work and someone knocked on their door offering them a job. I know one person who met his wife after calling a wrong number. Joseph did not work his way up from the prison to being the second in charge of Egypt.
Click to expand...
But you said you wanted to stop working.
 
JohnB

JohnB

Well-known member
#88
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#88
RichMan said:
But you said you wanted to stop working.
Click to expand...
I'm 68, I should have been retired, that was my goal, UNTIL GOD told me to take care of my mother. My retirement was wiped out. No one else I know had to do this.
 
G

Gojira

Guest
#89
#89
John146 said:
Nope, but is retirement a biblical thing or a worldly thing? Are we to work until we cannot work any longer? In that case, who is supposed to care for you? Family? The church? I prefer to retire someday, but if I cannot, what is a Christian supposed to do? Has God gave us the answer in his word?
Click to expand...
I don't know. But the Bible does say that people of a certain age should be taken care of by their younger family members. This implies retirement from lifelong work.
 
JohnB

JohnB

Well-known member
#90
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#90
Gojira said:
I don't know. But the Bible does say that people of a certain age should be taken care of by their younger family members. This implies retirement from lifelong work.
Click to expand...
They should but many will not. "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. " 1 Timothy 5:8 I would love to see churches preach about deadbeat parents. Is a deadbeat parent really a Christian?
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#91
#91
Gojira said:
I don't know. But the Bible does say that people of a certain age should be taken care of by their younger family members. This implies retirement from lifelong work.
Click to expand...
Where did you find this is Scripture?
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#92
#92
As a very young person, I learned the hard way what it was like to go without.
I decided then that I would always plan ahead so my family would never have that experience and they never have.
I also planned ahead for the time I could no longer work so I would not be a burden on my kids.
It meant living a very simple life, going without things I wanted, so my kids would have the extras other kids had.
I took full advantage of every opportunity God gave me to learn different skills and make extra money.
Some have accused me of a lack of faith because I saved and planned for the future.
I give God the glory for the blessings of a good life and retirement.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#93
Jan 13, 2016
17,162
3,699
113
#93
Gojira said:
I don't know. But the Bible does say that people of a certain age should be taken care of by their younger family members. This implies retirement from lifelong work.
Click to expand...
Yes, I believe when the person can no longer take care of themself.
 
C

CorrectiveLens

Banned
#95
Dec 30, 2020
868
228
43
#95
John 14: 13 And whatever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
The Father is not going to be glorified in the Son by you gaining material things. The way that the Son is glorified is when new converts are added to His Spiritual body . One of the most important important things that I pray for is the salvation of my family and everyone I come in contact with. Instead of waiting for God to supply you with material things, pray to Him to help you do His will.
 
J

Jackson123

Senior Member
#96
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
#96
I learn from Paul not focus on earthly thing because it is temporary
that help me to be happy though I am low income
i try not to owe as Bible say

i life in the area where to rent a house is more than $2000 and SSI less than $2000

but by the grace of God, when I was work, I save money and bough a cheap house from bank repo, need small repair but was very cheap,
so I pay cash from my little saving

it was when the price of the house collapsed

I watch YouTube, some expert say in 2 years the house will down
you may think to buy from repo on that time, it may cheaper than rent

i investigate on property profile that house was 325 thousand

i pay 60 thousand from repo

80% discount
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#97
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#97
I think someone said you ask God for what you need, rather than what you want, so if you need to pay the bills or your goods will be repossessed and your electricty cut off and a new car cos your old car is a rust bucket and safety hazard, and it would cost too much to repair it then sure.

God will answer those prayers in His own way, believe and you will receive.

Going without isnt fun for sure but it teaches you patience and you willbe rewarded when you finally able to have your needs met. Make sure to pray always with thanksgiving even when times are tough, as Paul did , he knew what it was to abound (be rich) and to be in need (to be poor) but whatver state he was in he learned to be content

for some people, this is REALLY hard! Especially children ...they whine a lot lol. And when they get what they want they complain!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.