The idea of “making a deal” with God can often sound like negotiating with a powerful figure, as if we, as humans, can strike a bargain or enter into a transactional relationship with the Creator. It’s not uncommon to hear people say things like, “God, if you do this for me, I will do this for you,” or “If you help me, I will serve you better.” But is this kind of arrangement biblically sound? Is it a sin to try and make a deal with God?
To understand whether making a deal with God is a sin, it’s important to explore the nature of our relationship with God, the purpose of His promises, and how the Bible addresses human attempts to bargain with Him. Let’s break this down from a biblical perspective.
1. God is Sovereign—He Doesn’t Need to Make Deals
One of the first things to understand is that God is sovereign—He is in control of all things, and He doesn’t need to make deals or bargains with humans. In the Bible, God has already made promises and covenants that demonstrate His grace, love, and faithfulness. He is not a negotiator or a figure to be “bartered with” for personal gain. Instead, God’s actions are rooted in His nature, not in what we can offer in return.
- Psalm 115:3:
“Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” - Isaiah 40:12-14:
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor?”
God’s power and wisdom are beyond our comprehension. The notion of making a “deal” with God implies that we, as humans, have something to offer that could change or influence God’s will. But God is not in need of anything from us. Everything we have—including our very lives—is a gift from Him.
2. God’s Promises Are Not Conditional Bargains
In the Bible, God does make promises to His people, but these promises are rooted in His character, not in what we can offer. While God has made conditional covenants (such as the Mosaic Covenant), where blessings come with obedience, He has not established a transactional relationship with His people where we exchange favors.
- 2 Corinthians 1:20:
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” - Romans 8:32:
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
These verses remind us that God’s promises are already fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and through Him, we receive every spiritual blessing. God doesn’t need us to “offer something in return” to secure His grace or love. His promises are given freely, and they are not conditional upon us fulfilling certain terms or conditions.
3. God Desires a Relationship, Not a Transaction
A common misconception is that our relationship with God is like a business transaction where we provide something in exchange for His blessings or assistance. However, the Bible teaches that God desires a relationship with His people, grounded in faith, trust, and love, rather than in bargaining or “deals.”
- James 4:8:
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” - Matthew 11:28:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
God calls us into a relationship with Him, not into a contractual arrangement. He doesn’t promise to act based on what we give Him, but He invites us to come to Him with a humble and open heart. True worship and obedience come from a place of love and devotion, not from trying to get something in return.
4. Examples in the Bible of Bargaining with God
While the Bible shows that God is willing to listen to our prayers and requests, it also warns against trying to manipulate or bargain with Him. There are, however, examples of people in the Bible attempting to “negotiate” or make deals with God, and these situations can offer insights into whether such behavior is appropriate.
a) Abraham’s Plea for Sodom
One of the most famous examples of a person trying to negotiate with God is Abraham in Genesis 18:22-33. In this story, Abraham asks God to spare the city of Sodom if a certain number of righteous people can be found there. Abraham continues to ask God to reduce the number of righteous people required, and God agrees each time.
- Genesis 18:32:
“Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.’”
This interaction shows that God is willing to listen to His people and is merciful, but it doesn’t suggest that we should regularly approach God with the idea of bargaining or striking deals. God’s mercy is not something we should presume upon or treat as a transaction.
b) Jacob’s Bargain at Bethel
In Genesis 28:20-22, Jacob makes a deal with God after he has a dream of a ladder reaching to heaven. Jacob promises that if God will protect him and provide for him, then the Lord will be his God.
- Genesis 28:20-21:
“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God.’”
While Jacob’s vow shows a desire for God’s protection and presence, it also carries the idea of conditional faith. This kind of approach to God—making promises to God based on what He does for us—can be problematic because it implies a transactional relationship rather than a trusting one. True faith is not about making promises or bargains with God, but about trusting Him, regardless of the outcomes.
5. God Responds to Our Needs, But Not on the Basis of Deals
While it is not sinful to pray to God and ask for His help in times of need, making deals or trying to barter with Him for blessings is not how God operates. God already knows our needs, and He promises to provide for us, not because we make deals, but because of His grace and love.
- Matthew 6:31-33:
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
God promises to meet our needs, but He does not require us to “earn” His help by making deals or promises. We are called to seek first God’s kingdom and trust that He will provide for us according to His will.
6. The Danger of Bargaining with God
Trying to make a deal with God can be dangerous because it reflects a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty and provision. It implies that we think we can manipulate God’s will or change His plans by offering something in exchange. This is not how God works.
- Psalm 50:12-15:
“If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
God doesn’t need our sacrifices or our promises in exchange for His favor. What He wants is obedience, faith, and humble reliance on Him. Attempting to “bargain” with God can distort our relationship with Him, turning it into a transaction rather than an act of worship and trust.
Conclusion: Is It a Sin to Make a Deal with God?
No, it is not necessarily a sin to make a request to God or to pray for His help in a time of need. However, trying to make a deal with God, as if our blessings or answers to prayer depend on what we offer in return, misunderstands the nature of God’s grace. God is sovereign, and His blessings and promises are not conditional on our actions or bargains.
Instead of trying to bargain with God, Christians are called to trust in His character, rely on His goodness, and seek His will in faith. God’s grace is freely given, and His mercy cannot be earned. We are called to surrender to His will and trust that He will provide for us in His perfect timing, according to His perfect plan.