To Ask and to Give

Dear Faith Family,

This Sunday’s Gospel’s is one of my favorites. Generally, in scripture, it is hard to decipher the intent of those who encounter Jesus. When they ask questions, you usually have to question whether the people either mean well or if they are trying to trap Jesus. The reason why this Sunday’s Gospel is one of my favorites, is because the intent of those asking Jesus questions are perfectly laid out. 

Before we dive into the passage further, I do have a question for all of us to ponder. Do we ever try to trap God with our own prayers? I know it sounds like only malicious people would do such a thing, but I feel that sometimes we only pray to get something from God.

I am not saying asking God for things is wrong, that is definitely untrue. In any worthwhile relationship, it is healthy to ask our loved ones for help when we need it. Sometimes though, the trap of only asking and never giving can hinder the strength of any relationship. 

I know in my spiritual lulls, I tend to ask God for a lot of things, but within this same lull, I fail to let God know that I love him, and I also fail to ask God what he needs from me. When my prayer life is not strong, my friendship with God is not strong either.

Now, I’m not saying God doesn’t want to give to us. Like any good Father, God wants to and will provide, regardless of our current relationship. And I guarantee that God does provide even when we are simply asking Him for assistance. With that said, it is vastly important to simply spend time with our Father. He yearns for us and when we yearn back for him, our relationship grows stronger. 

In the Gospel, it was obvious that the Pharisees have terrible intent. Christ knew it too. Notice though, that Jesus still answered their question, even though the Pharisees were trying to trap Him. God will always provide us with the right answers, even when we aren’t at a strong relationship point with Him because He loves us and wants us to know the truth. 

So please friends, continue to ask God questions, ask him for assistance, ask him for anything, He will always provide. But let’s take some time to just be with God as well, because he wants to be with us.

God Bless,
Brett Becker
Youth and Young Adult Minister
October 22

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