Selfish prayers are too expensive. Some have gained wealth and lost the Truth and its service; some have gained health, only to find that with it they gained other trials no less severe; some have had their dear ones restored to them from the very jaws of death, only to wish afterward that God had not answered their prayers—or, more correctly, to wish that they had accepted the Lord's wisdom and providences trustfully, contentedly, uncomplainingly. … Spiritual Israel should use wisely such things as are within their reach, accepting all as God's gifts with thanksgiving; but their petitions should be for spiritual gifts, including patient endurance and heart contentment.
For the Christian's life to be one of covetousness not only would make him selfish but also would prompt him to inflict injury upon others; therefore, it is not a quality to be cultivated in one whose highest aim is to give up all things for others' good. The spirit of contentment with what we have will prove a wholesome restraint upon the disposition of covetousness.
Ex. 18:21; 20:17; Job 31:24, 25, 28; Psa. 10:3; 119:36; Prov. 11:24; 21:25, 26; 23:4, 5; 30:8; Isa. 5:8; Matt. 6:19-21, 24, 25, 31-33; 16:26; 1 Tim. 6:6-10; Psa. 37:16; Prov. 16:8; 17:1; Eccles. 4:6; 1 Cor. 7:17, 20-22, 24; Phil. 4:11, 12.
