I'm 68. still working to get by. I've had Christians who own a home, have nice car, nice retirement account so they don't have to work. But tell me I shouldn't be asking GOD for material things. I remind them, everything you have is from the hand of GOD. Yet somehow, my asking GOD for any material thing is wrong. I don't get it.
A Christian should not ask for material things for God only blesses us with our needs not our wants.
That is why the Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy which love is the fulfilling of the law which includes caring about the needs of people.
Anybody that goes by their wants does not love people like they should for people should come before our wants and if a person does not love people then they cannot receive salvation.
That is why Paul said out of faith, hope, and charity, love in action, charity is the greatest.
Paul said he can have all faith so that he can remove mountains but if he did not have charity then he is nothing.
And said if anybody preaches that godliness is gain which would mean money and material things for their wants withdraw yourselves from them having food and clothing be content.
For the love of money is the root of all evil for they care about money more than they do people that are poor and needy which is not love which some have coveted after money and erred from the faith.
James was talking about feeding and clothing people that if people have the means to help the poor and needy and they do not do it then their faith is dead which he said we are justified by our works and not faith alone which he is talking about works of helping people out with their needs.
Which Paul and James said the same thing care about the poor and needy which Paul said if you do not then you have erred from the faith and James said your faith is dead.
People argue over Paul and James and they say the same thing which Paul called it charity which is love in actions, works, and James calls it works.
John said if a person has this the means to help the poor and needy and they do not do it then the love of God does not dwell in them, so do not love in word nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth which deeds are works.
Paul said have works, James said have works, and John said have works, which love can only apply in your life if you have works of love which is charity.
Anybody that goes by money and material things do not love people like they should therefore they are not in a position to be saved for love is the fulfilling of the law and charity, love in action, is greater than faith.
No love, no faith, no salvation.
We are saved by faith, not by works, when we confess Christ because that is all we can do, but when we receive the Spirit then we have to have works of love to have faith apply in our life and love can only be done in action to apply in a person's life.
Which is why Paul said if he did not have charity, love in action, works, then he is nothing.
And James we are justified by works, and not faith alone.
And John if we do not have works of love then the love of God is not in us.
Because God loves people not blessing us with our wants.
Which is why the Bible says the saints appear poor to the world and having nothing for the world views riches as money and material things which God does not give but only our needs.
We can ask for material things as long as it is a need and not a want that is not necessary for our survival.
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