Maybe “Just Enough” is a Selfish Prayer
Lyndee Fletcher, Contributing Writer
“And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.” Hebrews 7:7
Today in the church and the Christian body as a whole there is a stigma that if a Christian is trying to acquire wealth they are selfish, absorbed and not depending on God for their needs to be met. This seems logical many times with a plethora of pastors on TV asking for, “$50 and you’ll be healed” or “Give to us and you’ll have financial breakthrough.” It makes sense that we as Christians are scared of money. After all, doesn’t the Bible say that money is the root of all evil? Actually, the Bible says that the Love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10) Anything that is loved above God causes destruction.
Unlike prosperity ministers, who sometimes misquote scriptures like Mathew 21:22 “You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Mathew 21:22 Or “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 They use these verses to say, “Claim everything you want and you’ll receive it.” Although God is a giving God, He in His holiness is not a vending machine that dispenses wealth into our lives. Christian prosperity is intended to be a blessing to others, not so you can drive a Lamborghini. In Psalms 37:4 when it says “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart,” they are His desires because of the relationship built with him by “delighting yourself” in Him.
Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest investors in history, made it a goal of his to see how much money he could give away in his lifetime. He has partnered with Bill Gates and pledged to give away 99% of his wealth away to charity, specifically to be entrusted with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He still lives in his original home in Omaha and has given away more donations than many could imagine doing in our wildest dreams. None of that would have been possible if he had not tried to become wealthy from a very young age.
A common prayer in the church is, “Lord just give me enough for me and my family to get by, I don’t need any more than that. Just help me pay my car payment, my mortgage etc.” It seems like a worthy prayer, honorable, selfless even. But, when you really look at what it is saying it is a selfish prayer because you’re only praying for enough for you. You have no intention of helping or blessing others.
As Christians we are called to help those in need and to be like “The Good Samaritan.” (Luke 10:25-37). We are supposed to be the one who stops along the road. But, what if we don’t have the money to do that? In Luke 10:34-35 it says, “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’”
We are told to be the good Samaritan, but most of us don’t have the financial freedom to do what the Samaritan did. It is time that the church recognizes that that prayer isn’t the only way to pour into people’s lives.
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” -Warren Buffett
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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