Untwisting the Bible - Part IV: Matthew 7:7, God Is Not a Cosmic Vending Machine

Matthew 7:7 has often been appropriated by prosperity gospel charlatans in a way that has led to some of the most egregious distortions of biblical teaching. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you," says the verse. In the mouths of these bible twisters, this becomes a blank check, an unhindered gateway to personal wealth, fame, and earthly pleasures. You want that new car? Just claim it in the name of Jesus. Need a promotion at work? Simply ask, and you shall receive. Want to live a life of luxury? The universe, compelled by your bold faith, must deliver. This is a serious and scandalous hijacking of Scripture for unholy purposes.

Let's set the record straight and put this passage in its proper perspective. Matthew 7:7 isn't your ticket to a life of ease, it's a profound declaration about the nature of God and our relationship with Him within the larger context of the Sermon on the Mount where this verse resides. Here, Jesus is expounding on the reality of a Kingdom where righteousness, not material excess, reigns supreme.

This Sermon, teeming with moral imperatives and radical and profound ethical teachings, lays the groundwork for Christian living rooted in the character of God. Jesus talks about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, all grounded in a humility that seeks God's approval rather than human applause. He warns against hypocritical judgmentalism and speaks to the issues of adultery, divorce, and making oaths. Essentially, he’s exegeting the law and showing people how it was meant to be used. Each topic reveals facets of righteousness that transcend mere legalism.