Ask Not What God Can Do For You

While listening to the radio recently, I heard an audio clip from a former president that has become pretty famous over the years.

It was a line from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address in 1961. “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

This simple, powerful statement was intended to challenge people to contribute to the betterment of our society. His rhetoric encouraged people to shift their thinking from what they can get from their country (consumer mentality) but instead to think about what they can give to it to make it better (giving/serving mentality).

This idea took hold of people at the time because it is even reflected in dialogue in television shows of that era.

So, what has happened to that sentiment over the years?

Now before we all jump into partisan political banter, I would like to flip the script. You see, the logic of Kennedy's challenge can be applied to faith in God.

Too often Christians, and non-Christians, are seeking what God can do for them. Think about it, our prayers and daily rhetoric include statements like, “God give me/show me/help me/rescue me/reveal yourself to me/etc.” It may even sound like this “God if you would just ____ then I would believe/do/etc.”

We treat God like He is Santa Claus – just sitting up north waiting for our wish list. Many people have used the image of God being treated like a genie in a bottle. The overall idea that God is just supposed to give me what I want. Or like He has to prove Himself to us.

And, I am just as guilty for coming to God with a list of wishes, questions, and complaints.

God does not need to give us anything more than what He has already given.

He gave us the gift of salvation through Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. Not to mention that when Jesus rose from the dead, He gave us eternal life in a restored relationship with God. All we have to do is believe that this is true and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. Then our life will never be the same.

This does not mean everything is perfect all the time. It means that Christ transforms us and promises to be there with us through anything we may face.

The Bible also teaches that God is a good Father and that He wants to hear from us and He will provide for us. In other words, He welcomes our questions, requests, and petitions.

But don't get it twisted, He is not a genie just waiting to fulfill your wishes.

Mark chapter 12 verse 33 says,

“To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

This verse captures what we should do in a proper relationship with God. Ask not what God can do for you, but rather what you can do to glorify Him and spread His message of love, grace, and hope around the world.

Now, just to be clear, this doesn't mean you have to work your way into heaven or God's good graces because there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It is a gift from God. The only thing we have to do is take His gift. He wants us to love Him with everything we have, and to love others. Not go through meaningless rituals and routines trying to earn His love and grace.

I love what Jonathan Evans, former NFL player and current chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks, said at a men's conference I once attended.

Evans said, “Even if God doesn't do anything else – He has already done enough. But don't be surprised when He does something else anyway.”

I encourage you today to consider this: “Ask not what else God can do for you. Ask instead what you can do to advance His kingdom.”

Anyway, I was just thinking...