faith...full...

[nHissvc]

Does praying for necessities demonstrate an absence of faith, given the scripture below? Are there biblical examples that the disciples/apostles prayed for such?


"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Luke 12:27-31)



Thanks all.

--Blessings

[Xenia]

I do not believe it is a lack of faith to ask. If we use the 20/20 rule we see that Jesus was addressing covetousness and greed.

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

That being said I do believe that God will take care of us without asking if we are seeking the Kingdom first. There are many verses that instruct us to ask though...
Hmmmm... you've got me thinking a little deeper now though and even as I write this I am wondering if it may just be a lack of faith because if we are truly trusting Him why would we need to ask for anything?
I guess all I've done is muddy the waters... sorry! I am going to have to give this some more thought!

[lynnmosher]

It cannot be a lack of faith to pray for necessities, for Jesus taught the disciples to pray...give us this day our daily bread.

[Daniel]

Can lack of faith be bad? I hear a lot of talk about that and how bad it is. And yet I wonder about that. When we say "lack of faith" I think it means that we have faith in something and that when "lack of faith" is said, means that there is room to grow. God wants our faith, or really, as I have seen in my own life, for me to understand how and what my faith is and becomes. In other words, not "owning it" but walking with it and in it. And coming to understand that my faith isn't some mystical force of the universe to get me money or health, but to know that it is in Christ and is Christ and that it is there in my hard times, trials, etc and that I am becoming one with Christ, becoming the likeness of the one who saved me and has given me strength. So my faith, or the lack thereof, is meant for me to understand that it, my faith, is through my hard times, not always for things to go good and pray all the blessings of God are good. Most of the time I find that the hard times are a blessing. That is where my faith beings and is completed because that is where Christ came to teach and touch the lost and dying.

[lynnmosher]

Daniel, You have stated it well and I agree. Our faith in Christ is ever-growing, or should be. So while we may have a low level of faith in some areas, we still have faith. However, to lack faith, according to scripture, is not a good thing. Jesus was continually amazed at those who lacked faith, even in His hometown where He could do no miracles. He even rebuked the disciples several times for lacking faith and even for little faith. If we draw near God, we are to have faith, as the writer of Hebrews said, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” (Heb. 10:22 NKJV)

[Xenia]

It cannot be a lack of faith to pray for necessities, for Jesus taught the disciples to pray...give us this day our daily bread.

Yes I agree. Can't argue with that !thumbsup!

[nHissvc]

Thanks to all who replied...

Our answers are understandably expressed in the context of our perception/interpretation of supporting scripture.

My own understanding of the scripture referenced from Luke 11:3 is in context of the following:

"Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is He Which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." (John 6:32-33)


Thanks again, all...

--Blessings

[Xenia]

I've been thinking about this post and it is my conclusion that it is definitely NOT a lack of faith and certainly not an absence of it to pray for necessities.

Phi 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

[ninetyandnine]

It is impossible to please God without faith. But it is God who increases the faith.

Here are some more verses nHissvc. Matt 6:8, 7:9-11, Mark 11:24. And don't forget the story of the persistent woman who kept asking until she got what she was asking for.

I guess the caveat is this: you won't receive something you've asked for if it's contrary to what God has said in the Bible.
ninetyandnine