I Want, I Want, I Want

The Bible is rife with the teachings of material possessions… or the lack of them. In every instance I read in the Bible, God never seems to really care if we do or don’t have things in life. What is His concern is our attitude towards them. Are we grateful? Do we appreciate them? Do we expect them?

I’ve always been in a quandary when it comes to praying for things. Praying for people comes easy to me; but for things...that always unsettles me. The Bible states “You do not have because you do not ask.” James 4:2 (NAS) That, in and of itself, tells me I may not have the wealth I want simply because I haven’t asked God to make me wealthy. That’s a tough hurdle for me since it sounds so arrogant and selfish. Read on, though, to the following verse of James 4 and it says “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Well, that pretty much puts it in perspective.

1 John 3 also states “…and whatever we ask we receive from Him,” with the all important follow-up “because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” Ooohhhh, so that’s how it plays out, huh?

Bottom line, God knows our heart. He knows why we ask and providing it is not an issue with God. The Creator of the universe can certainly throw wealth, fame, and any earthly pleasure your way in a wink of His holy eye. God really does want good things for His children but, more importantly, He wants us to be as close to Him as He was to us while suffering on the cross. That is His desire. If being wealthy and famous fits within His plan, so be it. What matters is our relationship, our attitude, and our spirit.

Blessings!

Greg Morton
© November 4, 2009