I am not a proponent of the idea that receiving something from God requires only a verbal declaration. This concept, often summarized by phrases like “name it and claim it” or “blab it and grab it,” suggests that material desires—such as a luxury car—can be secured solely through the exercise of faith.
I find this line of thinking problematic because it contradicts Scriptural teachings and reduces God to a transactional figure, similar to a genie or a cosmic vending machine. This mindset implies that if you insert enough faith, you are guaranteed the outcome of your choice. It is easy for church leaders and pastors to drift toward this message, often driven by a sincere desire to encourage and uplift their congregations. However, the reality of spiritual life is far more nuanced than simple positive thinking.
While faith is an essential component of the Christian walk, it is not synonymous with optimism. An increasing dependence on God should naturally align our desires with His heart. Rather than asking God to bless our personal agendas, we should teach that true blessing is found within the center of His will. This perspective invites deeper questions regarding the alignment of heavenly desires and how our contemporary aspirations can be reconciled with authentic faith.
And it’s so easy as church leaders and pastors to slowly begin preaching that message. Often times from the right heart—to encourage, lift up, help.
But there seems to be much more to it than that. Is faith a part of it? Absolutely. But faith and positive thinking aren’t the same thing. And won’t an increasing dependence on God align your heart (desires included) with God’s heart?
In other words, shouldn’t we be teaching that a deep relationship with God causes us to define blessing as “being found in the middle of God’s will,” rather than asking God to bless our will?
Not to mention, it seems like righteousness and (most importantly) God’s sovereignty are two other pieces of this cosmic puzzle. But in our zeal to make it simple and encourage, we often leave those out.
So I’m not a fan of treating God like a coke machine or a genie. You’re probably not either. I don’t think it’s God-honoring or even possible, but …
Lately I’ve been thinking about the principle of sowing and reaping—that you reap what you sow, in proportion to the amount you sow, in the right season. And I think sometimes we may overcorrect and miss the balance of the truth.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” —Galatians 6:7–8
You reap what you sow.
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” —2 Corinthians 9:6
You reap in proportion to the amount you sow.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9
You reap in the right season.
Disclaimer: We live in a fallen, sinful, broken world. And in that fallen, sinful, broken world injustice is a reality. What I’m saying is that the principle of sowing and reaping does not mean that you will always get what you give.
When I’m sitting across from someone who tells me they didn’t deserve what happened to them, that they are innocent, that this was done to them, I have a tendency to think, Yeah, but it’s a two-way street … you probably did something to cause this …
That’s taking the principle of sowing and reaping too far. Injustice is a reality. There will be times that you reap something you did not sow. You reap something someone else sowed. You reap brokenness because brokenness is being sown in our world at all times.
We need Jesus.
Even so, here’s what I’ve been challenged with lately: If I’m not getting what I hope to get in my current situation, my first thought shouldn’t be Woe is me, but rather Am I giving what I should be giving?
If you’re not getting it, maybe it’s because you’re not giving it.
If I’m not getting buy-in from those I lead, maybe it’s because I’m not giving it to those who lead me.
If I’m not getting grace from my wife, maybe it’s because I’m not giving it.
If I’m not getting respect from my boss, maybe it’s because I’m not giving it.
If I’m not getting financial blessing, maybe it’s because I’m not giving it.
When I look around at the relationships in my life and find only frustration, aggression, and conflict, and cry out “why am I not seeing the peace I long for?” Maybe the answer is that I’m not sowing that peace.
Or it’s just timing—I’m not going to see the harvest until later or I’ll never see it in this life.
Because you reap what you sow, in proportion to the amount you sow, in the right season.
Then again, maybe it’s injustice that’s designed to make you realize your innate powerlessness so that you’ll reach out to a God who has all the power.
Either way, I think it’s a good discipline to establish. As a leader, a pastor, a Christ follower. If you’re not getting it, maybe it’s because you’re not giving it.
Start there.