Foxhole Religion is how we describe a person who is in dire straights with no hope… and they make a deal with God.  They say things like… “God, if you’ll get me out of this, I’ll do (whatever)!” It could be preaching… giving money to the church… to quit drinking, lying, stealing, being promiscuous, or any of 1,000 things.  But I have to ask… is it really possible to make a deal with God?

Read closely this passage from Acts 17:23-25… noticing especially the phrase in bold (Paul is speaking):

For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 23 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

In order for a deal to be made between two parties, there is something each party has that the other needs or wants.  It’s a quid pro quo situation… you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.  Then when one party fulfills their obligation, the other completes the transaction by giving what is needed or wanted by the other.

But there’s a rub… God doesn’t need or want ANYTHING!  There is nothing what so ever we can offer to God that would incline Him to want to enter into a deal with us ON OUR TERMS.  He doesn’t need fellowship… our talents… our money… loyalty… abilities… influence… or US!  Not only that, God is so perfectly complete that there is nothing we can offer that He would want!  As God He already has EVERYTHING!

If/when God does something… anything… for us, it is simply because He chose to do so.  He cannot be pressured… cajoled… convinced… or manipulated to do anything whatsoever for us!  The ONLY time God makes a “deal” with us is because He wants to… to bring Himself glory.  And for some reason in God’s wisdom, He HAS chosen to bless.  But I guarantee you it ISN’T because He benefits from anything we have or can do.