You Ask and Do Not Receive…
In January 1971 the late Janis Joplin released a song with the following lyrics,
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz.
Although popular with her fans, the song is a tragic parody of prayer, not too surprising from a singer involved in drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. When she died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27, she was still clutching a pack of cigarettes and a wad of money.
Even more tragic is the tendency of many people (including some Christians) to think of God as a genie, ready to grant virtually any request. But the God of the Bible opposes such thinking. James 4:3 states, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Asking God to bless us with a luxury home, expensive car, or a bigger bank account is a symptom of love for the world, which is NEVER good - 1 John 2:15-17. A desire for more “things” can lead us away from God and down the path of spiritual destruction. “Command those who are rich in this present age not….to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1Ti 6:17).
So, how can we restrain our desires for “uncertain riches”?
· We should remember that Jesus was poor and homeless, yet without complaint
(Matt. 8:20).
· We should remember that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith
and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him (Jas 2:5).
· We can pray that God will help us to learn that contentment with godliness is great
gain (1 Tim. 6:6).
· We can pray for God’s help in developing self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
· We must remember that we will carry nothing to the grave (1 Tim. 6:7).
· We can pray that God will help us to be more generous in our giving (2 Cor. 9:6-
9).
· We must remember that what we give (or do) to help others will result in eternal
treasures in heaven (Matt. 19:21-22).
Building Faith that Sticks in 2026!
Dennis
In January 1971 the late Janis Joplin released a song with the following lyrics,
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz.
Although popular with her fans, the song is a tragic parody of prayer, not too surprising from a singer involved in drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. When she died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27, she was still clutching a pack of cigarettes and a wad of money.
Even more tragic is the tendency of many people (including some Christians) to think of God as a genie, ready to grant virtually any request. But the God of the Bible opposes such thinking. James 4:3 states, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Asking God to bless us with a luxury home, expensive car, or a bigger bank account is a symptom of love for the world, which is NEVER good - 1 John 2:15-17. A desire for more “things” can lead us away from God and down the path of spiritual destruction. “Command those who are rich in this present age not….to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1Ti 6:17).
So, how can we restrain our desires for “uncertain riches”?
· We should remember that Jesus was poor and homeless, yet without complaint
(Matt. 8:20).
· We should remember that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith
and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him (Jas 2:5).
· We can pray that God will help us to learn that contentment with godliness is great
gain (1 Tim. 6:6).
· We can pray for God’s help in developing self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
· We must remember that we will carry nothing to the grave (1 Tim. 6:7).
· We can pray that God will help us to be more generous in our giving (2 Cor. 9:6-
9).
· We must remember that what we give (or do) to help others will result in eternal
treasures in heaven (Matt. 19:21-22).
Building Faith that Sticks in 2026!
Dennis
RSS Feed