Ask and You Shall Receive

 

As I write this, the jackpot for the Mega Millions lottery tonight is over one billion dollars. The TV reporters have been busy interviewing people about what they would do with the money. It reminded me of a joke that I heard a long time ago. A man prays, “God, I really need some money. Help me win the lottery”.  No luck. This goes on and on for awhile until one day the man says, “God, I’ve been asking you for months to help me win the lottery and nothing happens. What’s the story?” All of a sudden, a light shines down from the sky and a loud voice calls out, “Meet me halfway. Buy a ticket!”

 

As I’ve said before, I think certain passages in the Bible illustrate a message but also show that God has a sense of humor. In Matthew 17:24-27, we read that the collectors of a temple tax asked Peter if Jesus paid the tax. Peter, either without thinking or purposely fibbing, said that Jesus paid the tax. Jesus corrected Peter, telling him that, as the Son of God, He was not subject to the tax. Jesus went on to say, “So that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours” (Mt 17:27).

 

There are a few points to be made from these stories. God loves to give good gifts to His children. We are told, “Ask and it will be given to you” (Lk 11:9). God will only give us things that are good for us.  “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?” (Lk 11:11). Also, God may want us to do our part in receiving whatever we may be asking for. Jesus likely could have given Peter the coin but He wanted Peter to do his part in obtaining it.

 

If you have been asking and not receiving, this may be a good time to stop and pray about it. Have you been asking for a “snake” instead of a “fish”? God cannot give us anything that would be harmful to us or not in accordance with His will. Has God been trying to answer your request in a manner different than what you have been expecting?  Is there something that you need to do in order to receive what you are asking for?  Whatever these answers may be, don’t lose heart. Your loving God will provide.