Hey, this machine doesn't work!

Matt. 7:11

If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!___________________________________

At one time or another, we've all experienced those tricky vending machines where you're supposed to drop your coins in the slot, push your selection button; and out comes your pop or candy .  . thinking 'you do your part, it does its part and everybody’s happy'. Except when it doesn't do its part .  .  the vending machine “eats” your coin and you find yourself tapping, pounding, kicking or otherwise inducing it to respond the way you expected. Sometimes it coughs up the product and sometimes you walk away with neither your coins nor treats, brimming with utter frustration. We won’t waste our time anymore on a machine that doesn’t act the way it should.

In like manner, do we have the mistaken idea that God operates as some kind of a spiritual VENDING MACHINE where if we simply put in our coins of prayer, fasting, Bible reading, tithing, going to church, honesty, being nice, etc. and, then, when we push the 'faith' button .  .  out should come the gifts and favor we paid for? But, when we don't get what we 'paid for', we say 'Hey, this machine doesn't work!'.

Or should we take Him on His Word that He loves us beyond measure and has already seen to it that the 'price' has been paid - and we can come to Him with a clear conscience that we are His child!