James 4:3

3 You ask and don't have because you ask with evil intentions, to waste it on your own cravings.

James 4:3 Meaning and Commentary

James 4:3

Ye ask, and receive not
Some there were that did ask of God the blessings of his goodness and providence, and yet these were not bestowed on them; the reason was,

because ye ask amiss;
not in the faith of a divine promise; nor with thankfulness for past mercies; nor with submission to the will of God; nor with a right end, to do good to others, and to make use of what might be bestowed, for the honour of God, and the interest of Christ: but

that ye may consume it upon your lusts;
indulge to intemperance and luxury; as the man that had much goods laid up for many years did, to the neglect of his own soul, ( Luke 12:19 ) or the rich man, who spent all upon his back and his belly, and took no notice of Lazarus at his gate; ( Luke 16:19 ) .

James 4:3 In-Context

1 What is the source of conflict among you? What is the source of your disputes? Don't they come from your cravings that are at war in your own lives?

2 You long for something you don't have, so you commit murder. You are jealous for something you can't get, so you struggle and fight. You don't have because you don't ask.

3 You ask and don't have because you ask with evil intentions, to waste it on your own cravings.

4 You unfaithful people! Don't you know that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?

5 Or do you suppose that scripture is meaningless? Doesn't God long for our faithfulness in the life he has given to us?