Does Matthew 6:33 say that God will give what you want and not just what you need?

[jennifer_bloom]

A guy told me if I kept Matthew 6:33 that God would give me everything I need, but I would have to put God first.

[XHopelessRomanticX]

To say that God gives us everything we want is incorrect. God obviously does not give us everything we want, but He does provide for our every need. He is all that we need! We are to seek the things of God as a priority over the things of the world. Primarily, it means we are to seek the salvation that is inherent in the kingdom of God because it is of greater value than all the world’s riches. Does this mean that we should neglect the reasonable and daily duties that help sustain our lives? Certainly not. But for the Christian, there should be a difference in attitude toward them.

If we are taking care of God’s business as a priority—seeking His salvation, living in obedience to Him, and sharing the good news of the kingdom with others—then He will take care of our business as He promised—and if that's the arrangement... we have no reason to worry!

A growing number of false teachers are gathering followers under the message “God wants you to be rich!” But that philosophy is not the counsel of the Bible—and it is certainly not the counsel of Matthew 6:33, which is not a formula for gaining wealth. It is a description of how God works. Jesus taught that our focus should be away from this world—its status and its lying allurements—and placed upon the things of God’s kingdom.

[Aerissa_Jade]

As long as what you mean by give is, him giving you the tools to get what you need yourself. Too many think he will just magically make it appear for you.

[DoctorSex]

The Bible wasn't written in one sitting. It was written/edited over centuries. You will have to understand first what the kingdom is and how to attain it. To attain the key to the kingdom one must be bound on earth. This does not mean slavery. This means discipline.

Discipline ones self in order to attain the key to open the doors of the kingdom.

That's when you become a Disciple of God and you're able to follow Christ.

I'm not even Christian but this understanding is straightforward.

Kind regards,

DoctorSex

[TroyDT2]

I would think that seeking God and His righteous first would so transform the mind that what one wants would be what God wants for that person.

[bzcxx]

No. The context of "these things" are the basic needs of life: food and clothing.
Too often, people quote phrases from the bible that have been taken out of that context and used to suggest that God will supply endless material blessings upon those who seek him. The bible says “don’t worry about food or what you are to wear, is life not more precious by far?” These are the things that God promises his children if only they seek him. God doesn’t promise them endless supply of money and extravagance.

[Kudos4U]

Its a common misconception that God is some sort of genie that lives in the clouds and grants wishes. I would say that is a false god.

When you have a genuine relationship with God it is your desire to purposely communicate yourself to him, and that is what prayer is.

After we are redeemed it is by Him alone that our heart is transformed and our wants are changed.

I advise you that those who preach the prosperity gospel do not know God.

[Cecinene]

Of course yes, you really have to put GOD first in whatever you are doing, because he will surely reward you for your time in listening and obeying him.

[Jennz6]

@Cecinene good answer

[AndrésC64]

No, you can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometime you'll find
You get what you need
-- The Rolling Stones

[slatyb]

And how exactly did he suggest that you put God first? How about "God helps those who help themselves."

[Sabretooth]

A hard and agonizing thing for me to do. I hate it, quite frankly. my life has never once been my own. And constantly helping others and putting others first as my own life further deteriorates. A pawn. That pretty much sums up my entire life.

[Anonymous]

Not everything you want but what you need, according to Him. This is misinterpreted constantly by the prosperity preachers as part of their scam.

[KostasKouvalis]

I can assure you he will not