What is the meaning of “you have not because you ask not” in James 4:2? | GotQuestions.org

Is the phrase, “ you have not because you ask not ” true? When the Bible says, “ you do not have because you do not ask ” in James 4:2, does that mean all you have to do is ask and you shall receive? Do we have to know how to ask God for something correctly in order to know how to receive what we ask for? Or, does James 4 2 mean asking God for what we want, mean something different than just ask and you will receive? In this video, Pastor Nelson with Bible Munch answers the question, "What is the meaning of ‘you have not because you ask not’ in James 4:2?”

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[gracepilditch]

Isn’t it wonderful we can know the Living God through Jesus who died for ours sins and by repenting of our sin we are forgiven and restored and can call this holy God Father? This never ceases to amaze me.
The Bible encourages us to bring all our petitions with thanksgiving to Him and to pray according to His will.

[charlesarbuckle]

I love your sober and rationally biblical views and answers. Thanks pastor Nelson.

[jsperspective]

Thank You! I found you because I am doing a video on this verse. God bless You!

[Mr.Rogers]

Okay, I'll be the edgy believer here and give a little friendly pushback.
As far as I know, in verses 2 and 3, "God" is not in the original text. According to Biblehub, 4 of the 32 translations insert "God" into verse 2, and only 1 inserts "God" in verse 3.
Remember that verse 1 starts with James stating the overall issue which is "what causes quarrels and fights among *you* "? So there are issues among the people. He then elaborates on verse 1 in the two following verses. Verse 2 and into verse 3 could be divided into four sections that *may* have been intended to be linked in order:
A. “You desire and do not have, so you murder.“
B. “You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.”
C. “You do not have, because you do not ask.”
D. When you do ask, you “… do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your possessions.”

a. You want something (desire).
b. You want something that’s your neighbor’s (coveting), but you can’t get it.
c. But you do not receive the thing from your neighbor, because you do not ask him.
d. And when you do ask your neighbor, you do it with wrong motives.

Now this is just a subjective interpretation as there just isn't enough information to verify it. But to say that the asking in verses 2 and 3 is directed towards God, is also an implication since the text doesn't specifically mention Him. While I do agree that God doesn't give us EVERYTHING we ask for, I don't believe that's what James is intending to address here.
(This is just an anecdote, but in my own experience, God has answered every prayer I've ever prayed. If He didn't respond by giving me the exact thing I asked for, He did respond by bringing me fulfillment and peace. He brings me a satisfaction just as much as if I were to have been given the "thing" I asked of Him. And sometimes He just says "Not yet", and then gives me patience to hang in there. He truly is a good good Father.)

[bikiniluvnguy]

I dont ask God for some things, even though I think it is something I want, or think I want. Example, a couple of years ago this new woman started where I work. She is attractive, great personality, and single. I took a liking to her, I'm single too. I could have asked God to make it work for me, but didn't. It not working was one of the best things that ever happened to me as I would have been in constant turmoil had it worked. She is always in trouble for stuff in her private life. Always having to go to court for stuff she has done, into it with ex's, smokes marijuana, etc. Point of the story is I am afraid to ask because I dont know what is right for me or in my best interest. Finding the right one would sure be nice, hopefully before I get too old to enjoy it, but I wont ask because I may not be capable of dealing with it. I dont want unnecessary trauma and dont want to subject someone else to it either. It's easier to just work, come home, repeat and dont try to change anything.