Chester Street Uniting Earth Ministry Lacuna Group


Janis Joplin vs Matthew 7

Posted: 23/09/2008


Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
Janis Joplin

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the
door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who
knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8.

This is such a nonsensical passage. Yes I suppose it's worth
remembering that I'm reading it through my consumer-culture eyes...
but still, God is not a vending machine! Where's the value in a
passage that says we can find whatever we seek and be given whatever
we ask for?!

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  • “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (To keep up with the Joneses, I suppose?) “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:32-33


        — Miles the Penitent · Sep 24, 08:29 pm

  • Then the song went on with this line: “Prove that you love me and buy the next round…”

    Should Jesus have a chance to meet Janis Joplin (well, both have since departed…) He would probably have a good laugh, then quote Matthew 4:7: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test…”


        — Miles the Penitent · Oct 26, 12:20 am

  • Maybe he would… although Jesus seems to me to spend alot of time answering people with questions rather than do’s and do-not’s. I’m starting to think that perhaps the passage is about finding what we truely desire, finding what we seek deep in our hearts rather than what we think we’re looking for and what we’re told we need. Maybe God’s desire in and for us is what we truly long for? But what’s God’s desire?


        — Steph · Nov 22, 01:48 am

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