By REV JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Jesus told us to ask. He promised that if we asked God, we would receive. He made the promise in the context of daily needs, assuring us that the Heavenly Father knew of our needs. He said that if the Heavenly Father provided for the birds of the air, surely he would provide more abundantly for us, the crowing star of his creation.

Jesus told us to seek. He promised that if we sought from God for what we needed, we would find it. He made the promise in the context of urging his followers to "seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness" and everything else will be taken care of (JHH paraphrase of Matthew 6:33). Why should not God take care of us who were created in his image?

Jesus told us to knock. He promised that if we knocked on a door we needed open for the cause of the Kingdom of God, then the door would be opened. Somewhere else in the Bible, Jesus referred to himself as the "door." He made the promise in the context of the implicit understanding that God wants us to live a life of abundance and peace. By the way, it is hard to experience peace when they threaten to turn off the power, the water, the gas, and the sheriff is around the corner to evict you.

Ask, seek, and knock. That's what Jesus told us to do. In fact, the Greek language tells us that Jesus was really saying, ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking. It's not a faith breakdown when Jesus encourages us to keep on asking. When my daughter keeps on asking for something, it sinks into my skull that she is really serious.

Often, I think we are insincere when we ask God for something, because the very next day we have forgotten what we asked. But what really stirs me to a thrill is that Jesus promised that God would respond to us. We don't have to live as orphans. We don't have to stay just in a survival mode. We don't always have to be the beggars in society. No! No! No! Indeed, our Heavenly Father owns cattle on a thousand hills (have you checked the price of the best steak in the gourmet counter?) Indeed, my Father is a wealthy father.

It may take a little repenting, but many Christians need to understand that our God is a God of all provision. There's nothing he won't provide for us to make his kingdom stronger. The truth is that many Christians need more financial resources in order that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can go forward and never lack for money. I'm praying that Christians will be the next Donald Trumps, the next Ted Turners, the next Bill Gates.

Just think: what could Donald and Ted could have done for the cause of Christ. I'm praying that many Christians who are just making it, will experience a total burst in their businesses and even start businesses of their own.

What will it take? Asking, seeking, and knocking in the context of absolute obedience. Want some?

Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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