Is it wrong to pray for financial blessing?
Introduction
The moment a new Christian starts to pray, the topic of money often comes up. We need money for rent, food, bills, and maybe even to support ministry. So, is it acceptable to pray for financial blessing, or is that a sign of worldliness and lack of faith?
The short answer is: No, it is not wrong to pray for financial blessing. God is our ultimate Provider, and He invites us to bring all our needs to Him. The critical distinction lies in why we are praying for money and how we intend to use it. A prayer for provision based on need is godly; a prayer fueled by greed or a desire for luxury is sin.
Three Principles for Praying About Money
The Christian's prayer life regarding finances must be guided by three biblical principles: Provision (The Right to Ask), Posture (The Right Heart), and Purpose (The Right Motive).
1. The Principle of Provision (Ask for Your Needs)
Jesus Himself established the precedent that we should bring our most basic financial needs to God.
Daily Bread: In the model prayer Jesus gave His disciples, He included a simple, direct request: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). This is permission to pray for the necessities—the food, shelter, and financial means required for sustenance. God wants us to depend on Him for our daily provision.
The Father Knows: Jesus also assures us that God is already aware of our needs before we even ask, but He still invites us into conversation and dependence: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). This encourages us to pray with confidence, knowing our request is heard.
2. The Principle of Posture (Guard Against Greed)
The sin in financial prayer is not in the request for money itself, but in the heart that makes the request. God judges the motive behind the prayer.
The Warning Against Covetousness: The Apostle James warns against prayers rooted in wrong motives: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:3). A prayer is wrong when it is driven by covetousness, luxury, or a desire for personal status rather than genuine need.
Contentment is Key: We must pair our prayers for provision with an active pursuit of contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8). The prayer should be, "God, please give me what I need," not "God, please give me what my neighbor has." The prayer must be submitted to God's will: "Your will be done."
3. The Principle of Purpose (Pray for God’s Glory)
When a Christian prays for financial blessing, a key motive should be the desire to become a better steward and a generous giver.
Stewards, Not Owners: When you pray for "more," your ultimate goal should be to receive more in order to give more. Christians are not owners of their money, but stewards (managers) of God's resources.
Blessing to Be a Blessing: Paul writes that God provides resources so we can be generous: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). A prayer for financial blessing becomes truly godly when the primary motive is to fund the mission of the Gospel, care for the poor, or bless others.
Conclusion
It is not wrong to pray for financial blessing. It is right to ask God for your daily bread, to trust Him as your Provider, and to ask for resources so you can be generous.
The error is only when the prayer is rooted in a greedy heart that seeks money as its ultimate security or source of happiness. Instead of focusing your prayers on the size of your bank account, focus on the posture of your heart. Pray for provision, pray for the wisdom to be a good steward, and always pray that your resources will be used for the glory of God.
