Imagine this: you get a call that you have a very wealthy relative that has died. He left directions to ask you to decide three things you have always wanted and there is no cap on the requests. Wow! That is huge. If you have ever been on a budget and received a gift card to your favorite store, you know the deep thought that is engaged to decide how best to use that money. You want to make sure you account for every dime.
This gift is unlimited. You know you will need to stop and think deeply about these three requests. Will you pay off your house, pick out a new car, endless spa trips, feed a third world country, the list is endless.
How many of you skipped past all of those monetary, though wonderful requests and said, I would take wisdom? Now I am fully aware that wisdom does not wear a price tag. The take home lesson here is how many of us would even spend our day in search of wisdom. I often am amazed at my husband’s very natural and creative approach to parenting. He pulls object lessons out regularly that are as hard hitting to me as they are to our 7 and 10 year old boys. One day as I watched him do what he does he asked me, “Do you not hear me pray each night with the boys? I pray for wisdom. It doesn’t appear as a surprise. I request it daily.” So maybe I glazed over that part of the prayer. But now thinking back, I can close my eyes and recount prayer time and literally hear his request for wisdom.
Well there you have it. The story of King Solomon is a great lesson. He requested wisdom over all other things and his motive was so pure. He didn’t request wisdom so that he could run a billion dollar company, or so that he could outsmart other kingdoms. No, he recognized his lack and requested wisdom for the gain of the people, God’s people.
2 Chronicles 1:11 says:
God answered Solomon, “This is what has come out of your heart: You didn’t grasp for money, wealth, fame, and the doom o your enemies; you didn’t even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could govern well my people over whom I’ve made you king. Because of this, you get what you asked for – wisdom and knowledge. And I’m presenting you the rest as a bonus – money, wealth, and fame beyond anything the kings before or after you had or will have.”
Want to be a leader? Better yet, are you called to be a leader? I know sometimes we would sink down in our chair and say, “No. I don’t want to be a leader.” Well, like King Solomon you are in a blood line that calls you to lead God’s people. The Message Bible calls God’s people glorious in the verse before the passage we just read. The same verse also refers to God’s people as a mob. Wisdom is beyond necessary to lead God’s glorious mob. We need to plead for God’s wisdom to guide us as we guide others.
Questions:
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Is wisdom in your top three wishes?
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Do you truly understand the value God places on wisdom?
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Research 5 verses in the Bible about wisdom. It may change your perspective.