You wouldn’t be the first person to wonder why God hasn’t sent lump sums of financial blessings. When we ask for something, it’s easy to be confused when we don’t receive it because we know God loves us more than we could possibly understand. A blessing is any kindness, mercy, or good thing that comes from God. Sometimes, they are things we ask for, sometimes they are things we realize we need after we receive them.
So, Why Won’t God Bless You Financially?
First, it’s important to dispel some of the myths surrounding financial blessings. One verse that’s often used to promote the “prosperity gospel” (the idea that God wants to bless you financially if you do the right things) is Malachi 3:10, which says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
This might sound like a deal: If you tithe, God will bless you financially. But this verse refers to God’s promise to the people of Israel and their trust in God and investment in the communal good. As BibleRef explains, “Ancient agriculture was particularly vulnerable to insects and other natural dangers, so the pledge made over verses 10 and 11 seems to relate specifically to keeping such harms at bay.”
A similar qualification can be made for Proverbs 3:9-10, which says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
As a proverb, this is a general piece of wisdom from Solomon, not a guarantee from God. The truth of the matter is that God requires us to give freely of our wealth, which can be rewarded. But it’s not always in the matter or timeline we expect. More importantly, God sees our hearts. If we’re tithing just because we expect a return, how is that giving freely?
Examine Your Desires
As always, God cares about our hearts. He wants us to clearly see Him and put Him at the center of our lives. For any of those expecting God to make him or her rich, remember what Jesus said to the rich man. “I’ll say it again, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.”
It’s important to remember who Jesus is talking to — a rich man who wants to follow Him. But Jesus can tell that he cares about earthly treasures more than spiritual ones, and therefore requires him to sell all he has and give it to the poor. He fails Jesus’ test and goes home sadly.
Moral of the story? Don’t let your desire for financial gain get in the way of your eternal salvation.
But what about if you’re asking, “Why won’t God bless me financially?” because you’re fearful and want financial stability? Jesus has something for that, too. In Matthew 6:31-33, He says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Even in the face of not knowing what we will eat, Jesus asks us to focus on what truly matters— His kingdom. And He promises us that God will take care of us.
Practical Advice to Understand Financial Blessings
- Learn to pray. Write down everything you are grateful for. You might just realize that God is blessing you, even financially, in ways you had not noticed.
- Receive your purpose. Your role in God’s Kingdom is much more meaningful than money could ever be. Reflect on your story and what God asks for you. Then ask God to help you carry it out.
- Bless others. John 15:5 promises us that if we receive God’s blessings every day, we will bear His fruit—that is, enjoy improved relationships and become a blessing to others.
You may refrain that internal question from “Why won’t God bless me financially” to “How can God use me to bless others?”
