Withholding blessings

[leothelioness]

I've heard this a lot both here and while growing up: "God will withhold blessings from you if you don't have enough faith, go to church enough, read your bible enough, submit, etc." Or, "Maybe God is doing X, Y and Z as a reward for being faithful, obedient, etc."

So, is there any Biblical evidence that God does indeed withhold blessings from us if we're not _______ enough? Should we strive to be better than we are so that we can receive blessings and be rewarded?


I don't really want to think that God is petty enough to hold us hostage and essentially use blessings as a tool to bribe. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiences with this?

 

[SnowyMacie]

Sounds a bit prosperity Gospel-ish to me. I don't think I have heard that before, so I really haven't done much research into it.

I have people who have said that everyone's rewards will be different in Heaven based on how well have lived out God's commands, which I think does have some scripture basis. I'll jokingly say things like "Oh, you just earned an upgrade on your heavenly couch" or something.

 

[dmpeace]

I've heard this a lot both here and while growing up: "God will withhold blessings from you if you don't have enough faith, go to church enough, read your bible enough, submit, etc." Or, "Maybe God is doing X, Y and Z as a reward for being faithful, obedient, etc."

So, is there any Biblical evidence that God does indeed withhold blessings from us if we're not _______ enough? Should we strive to be better than we are so that we can receive blessings and be rewarded?


I don't really want to think that God is petty enough to hold us hostage and essentially use blessings as a tool to bribe. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiences with this?

You asked a lot there. Let me ask do you know God? A Christian is somebody that truly gets to know God and His ways.

First you should know that God is not petty. God is holy and owes nobody anything but His wrath because of our multitudes of sins against Him but instead has given His free grace for those who have truly trusted in the One that took our sin on the cross, Jesus. God does bless us richly every day not based upon anything we do but the Christian life is based upon being conformed to the image of Christ and to do His will. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. So if God has made you a new person and given you a new heart you will have a changed life and walk and desire the things of God like going to church, reading the bible not for a blessing but to know Him more.

God does withhold blessings from us but most of all His fellowship when we sin against Him. Ephesians 4:30-31 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. God desires you and to bless you more than you can think possible.

You must get the right view of who God is. He doesn't hold you hostage, He is your Creator and dwells in infinite glory. I would ask you what the bible says to do, to examine yourself and see if your in the faith and know that Christ is in you. Once God has saved a person your desire will be to seek Him and His peace and truth and love. Hope some of this helps.

 

[Legal_Eagle]

I don't think that's how things work. Material blessings in this world are not really "blessings". Our blessing is eternal life. I believe that God provides for us, but we do not live in a works based faith. Ask poor Job about that!

 

[leothelioness]

To clarify, I'm not speaking of material blessings.

 

[leothelioness]

You asked a lot there. Let me ask do you know God? A Christian is somebody that truly gets to know God and His ways.

First you should know that God is not petty. God is holy and owes nobody anything but His wrath because of our multitudes of sins against Him but instead has given His free grace for those who have truly trusted in the One that took our sin on the cross, Jesus. God does bless us richly every day not based upon anything we do but the Christian life is based upon being conformed to the image of Christ and to do His will. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. So if God has made you a new person and given you a new heart you will have a changed life and walk and desire the things of God like going to church, reading the bible not for a blessing but to know Him more.

God does withhold blessings from us but most of all His fellowship when we sin against Him. Ephesians 4:30-31 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. God desires you and to bless you more than you can think possible.

You must get the right view of who God is. He doesn't hold you hostage, He is your Creator and dwells in infinite glory. I would ask you what the bible says to do, to examine yourself and see if your in the faith and know that Christ is in you. Once God has saved a person your desire will be to seek Him and His peace and truth and love. Hope some of this helps.

I was raised Christian and identify myself as such. Admittedly, my faith is not as strong as it should be, but I've struggled with that the greater part of my life. I've only really just begun to practice faith and obedience. It's incredibly difficult and I do want to give up sometimes.

 

[dmpeace]

I was raised Christian and identify myself as such. Admittedly, my faith is not as strong as it should be, but I've struggled with that the greater part of my life. I've only really just begun to practice faith and obedience. It's incredibly difficult and I do want to give up sometimes.

I hear ya. It is a battlefield as were suppose to put on the armor of God. We got the world our sinful nature and the accuser the devil attacking us constantly trying to make us give up. That is a good reason to remember the finished work of the cross not what we are doing that helps me. It is a marathon not a sprint. We have trials and tribulations I know when I'm beat down in every way, I won't give up because God won't give up on me." For if God be for us, who can be against us". So many verses are coming to mind but it can't be said enough continue in the word and prayer and trust and things get easier.

 

[Freakconformist]

I don't know if it's so much about "withholding blessings" as "God causes the rain to fall on the sinner and the believer alike."

Doing "good things" in order to receive blessings is hedging on works based faith. We should do good because we desire to be good, but we shouldn't be afraid that the wrath of the heavens is going to strike us dead if we mess up a bit.

I'm kind of going through a similar... step up in faith. I've been living in a place where I looked Christian enough, but I was struggling in private. Now I'm kind of in an in between phase where I am just living and waiting to see what God does next. Regardless of whether times are good or tough, whether the world thinks we are saints or sinners, He wants us to live dependent on Him.

 

[keith99]

I've heard this a lot both here and while growing up: "God will withhold blessings from you if you don't have enough faith, go to church enough, read your bible enough, submit, etc." Or, "Maybe God is doing X, Y and Z as a reward for being faithful, obedient, etc."

So, is there any Biblical evidence that God does indeed withhold blessings from us if we're not _______ enough? Should we strive to be better than we are so that we can receive blessings and be rewarded?


I don't really want to think that God is petty enough to hold us hostage and essentially use blessings as a tool to bribe. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiences with this?

I can not think of any.

I do recall an entire book devoted to a man credited today with patience who it seems was a favorite of God who suffered quite a bit. Pretty close to the opposite of what one would get from the claim you cited.


I do think there is something close which is reasonable. That there are some blessings that delivered or obtained too soon are not a blessing but a curse. In a material sense we see that all the time with young athletes who get too much too soon. The same can hold on the not so material side. Having the chance to turn someone's life around can be a blessing, but if you are not ready you can't do it. The blessing and good feeling that goes with it are replaced by a failure and perhaps lifelong guilt.

So I in some ways agree, but not if one is thinking of God withholding because one has not been a good enough suck up, rather God not putting something beyond the ability of one of his chosen.

There are times it disturbs me that it so often seems I have a more positive view of a God I think does not exist than his worshipers do.

EDIT: The last line above is definitely NOT about the posters so far in this thread.

 

[ReesePiece23]

I've heard this a lot both here and while growing up: "God will withhold blessings from you if you don't have enough faith, go to church enough, read your bible enough, submit, etc." Or, "Maybe God is doing X, Y and Z as a reward for being faithful, obedient, etc."

Humans can be very controlling and manipulative - so always bear that in mind, and also remember that religion for a lot of people is nothing more than mind control - and this unfortunately includes Christianity as well.

You're not a puppy that God throws treats to every time you do good - God is a constant, unconditional stronghold, who is there for you through thick and thin. Even when you're not praying or reading the bible, he's still working in you.

I've gone through periods before where I've practically ignored God - and then all of a sudden, he provides a huge payout for me out of the blue.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

I think it's wise to remember that Yahweh is Holy, there would be no need for Yeshua if it were as simple as being Baptized, studying Theology, attending church, or relying on his Grace alone.

The same applied to the Pharisees and Saducees. Yeshua once said that he would even deny those who have prophesied in His name at the door...we're all members of the body, but sooner or later the Harvest will come and only the good seeds will be rewarded; the rest of the tares were merely examples for the good seeds.

It's said that the wicked are sacrifices for the righteous. You'll see.

 

[redblue22]

What would you want as a blessing or reward?

.

 

[Nanopants]

This is a touchy subject.

Firstly I'd say that I do not ascribe to the view that there is a huge difference between material and spiritual blessing. There is a difference but grace is the generosity of God, whether that takes the form of material blessing or not, and material stuff can and does make us miserable and depressed, but not always. That being said, I don't agree with the trend that pressures people into seeing suffering (from the natural perspective) as blessing from God, as if that's the aim or goal of faith. IOW, God does not crucify believers. People may crucify us, and God may not stop it, but it is not God that does it, and He avenges such. That being said, I do think that people can, at times, reap what they sow and have blessing taken away.

Secondly, when one perseveres under trial, there is a spiritual reward. Being under trial itself can be seen as drawing closer to the Son, who was crucified. That would also be why God is near to the brokenhearted, and those who are of a "meek", "contrite" spirit. Again, not because stuff is bad and pain and suffering is good, but because this is the world's attitude toward God, and in drawing closer to Him, He becomes our reward. That's why, in my estimation, that it was possible for Abraham to receive God as a reward through faith (Gen 15:1) even though he was still materially blessed and not crucified, and also for material "curses" to be the result of drawing closer to God.

Thirdly, as for material blessings, I for one am not a deist and I believe in a God who is able to do stuff, whether miracles, or blessings, but at the same time, I've never been an extraordinarily "blessed" man no matter what I do, and usually it seems that it's because I end up with the wrong people in my life who want to "curse" me in some sense. Do I think it's God's will? Well it hasn't been His will to deliver me, but He has sustained me. That being said, I think there is a need for realistic bounds on expectations of material blessings. I don't expect goodies to be raining from the sky or anything, but, hypothetically, if even materially cursed believers were gathered in one community, I would expect that material blessing would be a natural consequence.

 

[Shattered-Reflections]

I've heard this a lot both here and while growing up: "God will withhold blessings from you if you don't have enough faith, go to church enough, read your bible enough, submit, etc." Or, "Maybe God is doing X, Y and Z as a reward for being faithful, obedient, etc."

So, is there any Biblical evidence that God does indeed withhold blessings from us if we're not _______ enough? Should we strive to be better than we are so that we can receive blessings and be rewarded?

I don't really want to think that God is petty enough to hold us hostage and essentially use blessings as a tool to bribe. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiences with this?

I'm going cop out and not post scripture for time's sake But "God sends rain of the just and unjust" and "if you ask for a fish will He give you a snake?". There's also a whole lot of passages in the Bible that say being a Christian is anything but a bed of roses. Life is suffering, life is a desert, life is persecution, life is trials, to live as a Christian is to be treated no better than Christ was treated and he was homeless, abandoned, scorned, and murdered. Being moral does not equate blessings and rewards in this life, being a Christian if anything means you'll suffer because through suffering our spirits are refined more into the likeness of Christ. Good things are not given or withhold based on obedience, but based on what we need in order to mature and grow.

With that said, there are spiritual gifts (for example peace or gentleness) that aren't necessarily denied from us as much as we stifle ourselves and thus never receive all the God intends for us. So they way we live can push away goodness in our lives. Moreover Jesus said, "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." I think we can get caught up in this life and search out what pleases us and end up completely missing out. "The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful."

Being lukewarm or stagnant as Christians is a reality that's warned about in the Bible. Striving to be better should be something we do.

 

[DaedraSun]

I've heard this a lot both here and while growing up: "God will withhold blessings from you if you don't have enough faith, go to church enough, read your bible enough, submit, etc." Or, "Maybe God is doing X, Y and Z as a reward for being faithful, obedient, etc."

So, is there any Biblical evidence that God does indeed withhold blessings from us if we're not _______ enough? Should we strive to be better than we are so that we can receive blessings and be rewarded?


I don't really want to think that God is petty enough to hold us hostage and essentially use blessings as a tool to bribe. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiences with this?

Blessings come in many forms. I believe there is quite a bit that can be gained spiritually from things like prayer and bible reading.

With regard to the first statement - I've found many people use it to explain away something bad that may have happened to someone else, and I see it as both untrue and on some level - cruel. A mother loses a child, a wife loses a husband, someone is stricken with some terrible illness etc - and many people feel a need to "defend God" or their particular religion especially if the person is a part of that religion and the petitions to God didn't work.

"you didn't pray hard enough..."
"were you really diligent about church going and bible reading?..."
"must be some hidden sin in your life..."

so on and so forth. I understand why people do it - but it's not like it helps and often comes off as elitist and cruel.

So at that point I like to bring up the story of Job. That usually has them at a loss for words.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I've heard this a lot both here and while growing up: "God will withhold blessings from you if you don't have enough faith, go to church enough, read your bible enough, submit, etc." Or, "Maybe God is doing X, Y and Z as a reward for being faithful, obedient, etc."

So, is there any Biblical evidence that God does indeed withhold blessings from us if we're not _______ enough? Should we strive to be better than we are so that we can receive blessings and be rewarded?


I don't really want to think that God is petty enough to hold us hostage and essentially use blessings as a tool to bribe. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiences with this?

All I have to say is any theology linked with prosperity theology is junk theology, and I'm being generous.

 

[Sketcher]

In the Old Testament, it was very clear that he did. 1 Corinthians 11:26-32 seems to suggest that the concept carries over in some form, at least to me. He took the blessing of health away from some people who profaned his table with class discrimination and gluttony. How far this goes, I don't know.

 

[Rhamiel]

I don't really want to think that God is petty enough to hold us hostage and essentially use blessings as a tool to bribe. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiences with this?

when a young child walks out into the street, you do not just explain it is dangerous, you also punish the child so they remember that this is not a good thing to do

punishment/reward mentality is how we start to learn things before we can internalize codes of morality

I do not see withholding blessings as God being "petty"
just like how I do not think God is "petty" for "withholding" big beefy muscles from me even though I do not work out

things have a natural consequence
lol I do not wanna sound all New Age-ey but it is almost like Karma in some regard.

as others have said, the rain falls on the believer and the unbeliever

God always seeks out the unbeliever
but I do think that living a life in accordance to the word of God has benefits
ofcourse these benefits should not be our primary motivation for following Him
but they are present

 

[MarkSB]

I've heard this a lot both here and while growing up: "God will withhold blessings from you if you don't have enough faith, go to church enough, read your bible enough, submit, etc." Or, "Maybe God is doing X, Y and Z as a reward for being faithful, obedient, etc."

So, is there any Biblical evidence that God does indeed withhold blessings from us if we're not _______ enough? Should we strive to be better than we are so that we can receive blessings and be rewarded?


I don't really want to think that God is petty enough to hold us hostage and essentially use blessings as a tool to bribe. What are your thoughts, opinions, experiences with this?

A difficult subject - from my personal experience, I would say that I do believe there are things that we can miss out on due to lack of faith and lack of obedience, ect. I think there are plenty of examples of this in the bible - the first one which comes to mind for me is Moses not being allowed to enter the promised land. However there are also verses which caution against assuming that if people suffer, that they are suffering as a consequence of sin (Job, or Luke 13:1-5).

I don't think there is one universal answer - as Rham said, I think there are great rewards that can come with obedience to God, but these things should not be our motivation. And as Shattered touched upon, sacrifice and suffering are mentioned as being expected for the believer. When Christians in the NT suffered for the namesake of Christ, they considered themselves to be blessed.

Proverbs also speaks of the benefits of diligence, hard work, wise choices, and seeking after the will of God; and the pitfalls of laziness, greed, and folly. At the same time, I think Proverbs also mentions the futility of wealth and human hierarchies and the dangers of pride.

 

[redblue22]

And no one has shared what blessing they want to get from God.