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

John146 · Sep 19, 2022

We are God’s spiritual children who have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Israel was God’s physical people and were blessed with physical things as long as they stayed true to God.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

I’ll take the spiritual blessings over physical things everyday and twice on Sunday.

Evmur · Sep 19, 2022

seed_time_harvest said:

Seed time harvest, what you plant you also reap ... that includes munny

shittim · Sep 19, 2022

He really does delight in giving us the desires of our hearts, if we will but serve Him.

persistent · Sep 19, 2022

Night after night I prayed, "please, please, please let me hit the big lotto.
Alas, one night a voice from heaven.
Could you meet me half way and buy a ticket.

XavierJesusLovesIndia · Sep 19, 2022

We can ask God for material things, even riches (ideally with a promise to use it generously, by alms/tithes etc when it comes) but we must ask God for SPIRITUAL RICHES first. The Gospel is clear on this:

Luke 12:

"20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Mat 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

And after we have sought the Kingdom of God, and are growing in grace, faith, love, wisdom (spiritual riches) etc every day, we may legitimately seek a few material blessings also, while taking care they do not lead us away from Christ.

Reference: 3 Jn 1:2:

Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.

God Bless.

AndrewMorgan · Sep 19, 2022

JohnB said:

Even 'though it may well not be stated overtly, I think the NT focusses on the seeking of spiritual things rather than material ones. Jesus said -paraphrasing:- "Focus not on the worldly treasures, which moth corrupts; focus on the things above, which are incorruptible." and "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these (other) things will be added unto you.".
Having said that, it seems to me the OT has a different emphasis. I've wondered myself about the curious apparent boasting of Solomon's wealth.

AndrewMorgan · Sep 19, 2022

AndrewMorgan said:

Even 'though it may well not be stated overtly, I think the NT focusses on the seeking of spiritual things rather than material ones. Jesus said -paraphrasing:- "Focus not on the worldly treasures, which moth corrupts; focus on the things above, which are incorruptible." and "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these (other) things will be added unto you.".
Having said that, it seems to me the OT has a different emphasis. I've wondered myself about the curious apparent boasting of Solomon's wealth.

As for your "friends" - Jesus' talk about the beam in one's own eye comes to mind.

AndrewMorgan · Sep 19, 2022

On this subject - Has anyone seen the clip of Pat Robertson responding to a message from an old lady, where she talks of difficulty she experiences in finding money for tithing after a life-long commitment to Christ's cause.
He tells her she can always find money by selling something she has in her garage, or selling something on e-bay.
It seems harsh and insensitive.

XavierJesusLovesIndia · Sep 19, 2022

Not speaking of anyone specific here, to be clear, but imo always asking/demanding/grabbing money from a Poor Flock out of greed is a sure sign of a false teacher, whom God will hold to a Strict Judgment on the Last Day. The Bible says this clearly

2 Pet 2:3 "In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."

Every true shepherd of the flock of Christ/every true pastor or teacher of the Gospel should say with Saint Paul the Apostle:

1 Tim 6:

False Teachers and the Love of Money
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

God Bless.

XavierJesusLovesIndia · Sep 19, 2022

1 Tim 6, continued:

"11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 ...

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

God Bless.

JohnB · Sep 19, 2022

AndrewMorgan said:

Even 'though it may well not be stated overtly, I think the NT focusses on the seeking of spiritual things rather than material ones. Jesus said -paraphrasing:- "Focus not on the worldly treasures, which moth corrupts; focus on the things above, which are incorruptible." and "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these (other) things will be added unto you.".
Having said that, it seems to me the OT has a different emphasis. I've wondered myself about the curious apparent boasting of Solomon's wealth.

spiritual gifts do not pay the bills.

shittim · Sep 19, 2022

Jesus was very clear that in Him, ALL things are become new, relationship with Jesus is a totally new experience than following the law, which has passed away.

shittim · Sep 19, 2022

JohnB said:

Giving God first place opens the floodgate for His blessings.
Most who claim to be Christian aren't really Christian but hold to an outward form of Godliness when He in fact requires ongoing, vital, personal, relationship.

flowingpathUK · Sep 19, 2022

I always associated the desire for more money (beyond your own needs) to be unhelpful. If your damaging other aspects of your family life, spiritual life and so on for more money that seems a dangerous path. Even if greed isn't at the core of that motive.

ResidentAlien · Sep 19, 2022

JohnB said:

Solomon famously wrote in many of the Proverbs not to seek riches and not to trust in them. God will bless us if we trust in Him; and, very importantly, if we wait on Him.

If ends aren't meeting, and it seems He's not providing enough right now, start downsizing. I know this seems like blaspheme to a lot of people but He wants us to trust Him, not material things.

NotmebutHim · Sep 19, 2022

Those who say it's wrong to ask God for material things are often running to the opposite extreme from treating God like a cosmic genie, vending machine or slot machine.

They are course-correcting TOO much.

XavierJesusLovesIndia · Sep 19, 2022

We can and should ask God, with faith and trust, for what we need, but in accordance with His Will, not ours:

"Matthew 6:26-34

New King James Version

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [a]cubit to his [b]stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [c]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Echoed by St. Paul the Apostle in Phil 4:

"6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus ... 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ... 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."

God Bless.

PennEd · Sep 19, 2022

Polar said:

Supposed, unnamed “Christians” of course!

JohnB · Sep 19, 2022

JohnB said:

They do not pay the rent or groceries.

JohnB · Sep 19, 2022

ResidentAlien said:

GOD blessed many people with material possessions. ALL of my friends and families (Christian and non Christians) are doing far better than me. They also have families around them that provide comfort during the hard times. I was on my way to having those things, until GOD told me to take care of my family members, which I did. In the process most of what I had was wiped out. Sometimes GOD asks you do things that you wish he did not. So far there is no reward or blessing for doing what he asked you to do. I'm not dead yet, so there is still hope he will remember me.

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

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