Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I find it interesting that the accounts of this teaching in Matthew and Luke vary in a significant respect. In Matthew 7:9-12, Jesus says, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!", whereas Luke's account (as cited in the question) puts it as, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”, which seems to be a promise that is neither quite so open-ended, nor so potentially materialistic.

It also seems to me that Luke's version would be more consistent with the emphasis that Jesus placed throughout His ministry on using one's earthly life as part of a spiritual effort to seek and do God's will, rather than to accrue tangible possessions, or viewing service to Him from a strictly temporal or "what's in it for me?" perspective.

November 19 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

Matthew 6:28,29, "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all His glory was not arrayed like one of these."

Under the ground of the lilies there is a lot going on that we do not see. They are beautiful! I wonder if they make requests of God! Maybe one wants to be the biggest, another might want more sun! Perhaps one doesn't want to be by the fence. They look perfect to me.

God cares for them, I enjoy them. Matthew 6:30, "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

So, when we pray, we may ask for anything. First we go to our Father with thanksgiving, and praise in faith. We talk, and know that He answers. Sometimes, He says yes, sometimes no, sometimes wait! 

However, immediately we find peace, rest because we are assured that God always gives us His best! Consider the lilies of the field! (I think sometimes we give Him a good chuckle!)

November 23 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report