Reasons for Unanswered Prayer: Stinginess

“Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13 NKJV)

James says much the same with a different emphasis when he says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend [it] on your pleasures” (James 4:3 NKJV).

God demands generosity from those who seek generosity. We may discern this principle at work in a parable Jesus told. Jesus told this parable to teach forgiveness, but we can clearly see the motives for un-forgiveness in the wicked servant.

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took [him] by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ‘Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him (Matthew 18:23-34 NKJV).

Prayer is all about getting help from the Father. Why should He help us when we are not willing to help others? Truly, if He helps those with a stingy heart, He is reinforcing this bad attitude. Therefore, unless God is doing something extraordinary beyond our understanding, He will not answer the prayers of the miserly.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him (1 John 3:16-19 NKJV).

If God is not answering your prayers, take a look at your attitude. Are you generous, willing to help others? Don’t expect help if you are not will to help.