Bribing God

There is a Catholic church across the street from where I'm staying. Last night they had a special outside service. I could watch some of it from my roof. Allen told me that that particular church is famous for God answering your prayers if you bring something to the church as a gift, such as gold or money. Interesting.

In the city of Trivandrum there is a famous Hindu temple that has billions of dollars worth of gold that has been offered there. Also interesting.

The concept of bribing God seems ridiculous to me. How could you actually bring enough money to even matter to Him? And what good does money or gold do to sit beside an idol? Is the idol gonna use it? Those were my initial thoughts. Then, I realized that I can often have the same mind-set.

If I'm not careful, I can get the attitude that doing good things causes God to owe me something. If I'm a good person, I earn His blessing. If I'm not a good person, I don't deserve His blessing. But that's not how God operates.

A few years ago I heard the song, "Hate Me" by Blue October. Its pretty random that I heard it and even more random that I really liked it. Blue October doesn't exactly play the type of music I usually listen to. Anyway, I was bored today and looking up videos on YouTube. I don't know why "Hate Me" came to my mind, but I watched the music video. The basic premise is that he wants his mom to hate him because of all that he has put her through. But she won't stop loving him. There are some powerful images in the video, even one time her holding him while he's passed out on the ground from some kind of substance abuse. Or he's going on a date and they're both completely gothed out; his mom is taking a picture of them as if they're both dressed in formal attire. Like I said, I typically wouldn't endorse this band, but for some reason this song is so powerful to me.

A parent doesn't just love and take care of a "good" child; they also love and take care of a rebellious child. They just might do it in the midst of pain over the child's decisions.

God is like this.

"...He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:45

He loves unconditionally. He whole purpose that Jesus came was to save us because we couldn't be "good" enough to save ourselves. God relates to us with grace, not based on our accomplishments.

I can't bring enough gold to get His attention, nor can I withhold enough gold to make Him never listen to my prayers. He hears me because He loves me. He listens to me because I'm His child, not because I was good enough that particular day.