"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth;
and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Is it possible He meant our spiritual needs only? If so, why didn't He explicitly point it out ?
2007-05-20 13:15:28 · 31 answers · asked by Gone 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe he did indeed mean our spiritual needs. If you consider the bible, The old testament gives us the laws by which to live as a structured society, the material, when asked about this Christ replied "I do not come to brake the laws of Moses but to uphold them". Other than that He rarely comments on social law, or material possesion.
In The New testament, through Christs words, we learn more about how to live spititually and in particular how to find our way back to God. If you consider this then it becomes aparant that "Ask, and it shall be given you....." is surely about the spirit.
If so, why didn't he explicity point it out? I would say he did, when he said "consider the lillies of the field...." and "seek ye first the Kingdom of God...."
Christ told us not to concern ourselves with the etheral and material but to focus on the spiritual.
So when he said "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth;
and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
It is most assuredly that he was talking of our spiritual needs.
Also remeber that at that time people were not seeking a politician who could give them spin about their taxes and the cost of food, but a Messiah and they would have known he was talking about our spiritual needs.
He who has ears..... let him hear......
2007-05-20 13:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by triniwhitebwoy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, In my personal experience He does answer but sometimes it takes a while to get the answer.There are demonic hindrances at work and with Armageddon right around the corner you can be sure they are not holding back any tricks. All that you have mentioned is happening in my life on a daily basis, But that is because I truly love God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And I have been seeking with a whole heart for a few years. But the answer to that question is " But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." So you see God's priorities and ours are completely different. God knows eternity is too long to be regretting not having done any spiritual development now to prepare ourselves for His Holy dwelling so He sees that we have the spiritual need to develop spiritually first and then the reward of material things for our efforts that only benefits us anyways. Take care and may God bless you spiritually.
P.S. With things done God's way it is a win - win situation. One we will be thankful for throughout all eternity.
2007-05-20 14:44:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he is not just referring to just the spiritual. In several other places in the Bible, there are references to the blessings that are available to a believer if they obey the word of God, and ask for what they need and want (as long as it lines up with God's will). These include wisdom, patience, finances, healing, and sustenance, among other things.
This list includes two of the primary things a person can ask for: forgiveness and salvation.
You may find the following helpful:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(refer to Matt. 6:25-32, so you can read the verse in context)
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
These are just a few examples, but there are may others.
Read your Bible and make a list of all of the promises, or you can get a book called 'The Promise Book" which contains all of the promises found in the Bible. You should still read your Bible of course, but this makes looking up and learning of all of the things that we can ask, seek, and knock for a lot easier.
This can also lead to further study, as I hope it will.
God bless you, and may he lead you to the answers you seek.
I hope I helped.
2007-05-20 13:58:46 · answer #3 · answered by 1985 & going strong 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
MATTHEW 7:7, 8
Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded. Don’t give up in your efforts to seek God. Continue to ask him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give them to you.
Cross References:
Matthew 7:7-11—This passage parallels Luke 11:9-13
Matthew 7:7—Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9-13; John 14:13-14; 15:7; 16:23-24; James 1:5-6; 1 John 3:21-22; 5:14-15
MATTHEW 7:9, 10
The children in Jesus’ example asked their father for bread and fish—good and necessary items. If the children had asked for a poisonous snake, would the wise father have granted the request? Sometimes God knows we are praying for “snakes” and does not give us what we ask for, even though we persist in our prayers. As we learn to know God better as a loving Father, we learn to ask for what is good for us, and then he grants it.
MATTHEW 7:11
Christ is showing us the heart of God the Father. God is not selfish, begrudging, or stingy, and we don’t have to beg or grovel as we come with our requests. He is a loving Father, who understands, cares, and comforts. If humans can be kind, imagine how kind God, the Creator of kindness, can be.
Cross References:
Matthew 7:11—James 1:17
I hope this helps
2007-05-20 13:31:05 · answer #4 · answered by djm749 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Matt 7 imediatly before these verse and thus the IT as was pointed out was how to judge righteously. Get the board out of your own eye before trying to remove the speck in your brothers eye and also not giving what is sacred to dogs or casting your pearls before swine. It would seem to suggest it has to do with using wisdom in dealing with others first to a brother who you think may be sinning and second to the dogs a common term for gentile's who use believe in other gods and finally casting pearls before swine lest they rend you meaning don't even bother trying to judge others outside your religion. This is backed up in 1 Cor 5.
In the Luke 11 passage immediatly preceeding this is a parable of being persistant but before that is the "Lords Prayer" which include things like forgive us our sins for we forgive those who sin against us. The It seems to be forgiveness.
In the revelation 3 passage it is preceded by the letter to the laodacian church and just prior they are told to repent.
Mostly I think the IT that you recieve is forgiveness of sin, the canceling of debt and the overlooking of the board in your eye.
2007-05-20 13:43:03 · answer #5 · answered by Tzadiq 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that He just meant our spiritual needs. There are a lot of things that aren't explicitly pointed out in the Bible, but it's because we've been given minds to discern for our own selves.
2007-05-20 13:20:24 · answer #6 · answered by maphiaLu™ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is LOVE..... All power is given unto Him and all wisdom, knowledge and understanding can be found in Him.... He is God the Son. He is the powerful presence of God gracing human life through the Holy Spirit. Everything holds together in Him! He is the Lord of Lords, our Healer, Provider, Redeemer, our Portion, our Song. I can't imagine life without Him. Love you in the Lord!
2016-05-22 11:19:38 · answer #7 · answered by lavera 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus led a life of owning few possessions. He pointed it out by his example.
That's not to say that owning possessions is wrong, I think. It's just that the spiritual world is more important than the material world.
2007-05-20 13:30:43 · answer #8 · answered by DCFN 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most certainly our spiritual needs but with faith sometimes out physical needs. Not all the time though. Sometimes what we think we need is not always what is best. Somtimes we have to trust in him. I know you have probably heard it before but god works in mysterious ways .... i reckon that is pretty true. For me - i have gone through some pretty bad times but he is always there. I am rich (well i have enough money), i am loved and i know i am very lucky.
2007-05-20 13:23:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Matt 7:7-11:
9-11 explains He provides when His children need (bread or fish).I have witnessed God's answering prayers many times.Ask, He cares.
2007-05-20 14:32:24 · answer #10 · answered by robert p 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋