Ask and be given bountifully

: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
(1Ki 3:5b)

Many would like to have this question asked of God to Solomon. Jesus taught to ask what you will and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7). But we ask and ask amiss (James 4:3) most of the time not getting the expectant answer. The idea of Jesus in the asking and it will be done unto you is when we abide in Him. If we abide in Him, we will be interested in the things that concerns Christ. If we ask for a bigger car or better job or anything that concerns what the world deems as of ‘worth’ it won’t concern Him. Jesus was offered not just the world but the glory of them (Matt 4:8, 9) but that offer didn’t move Him one bit. The devil can’t offer Jesus (Who knows all things), what he doesn’t own. So if we asked of the things of the world the best person to ask from is the devil. Jesus wants to give us His eternal Kingdom (Matt 25:34) heavenly treasures where moth and rust can’t destroy – how about the crown of life (Jam 1:12) and the being loved by the Lord, let’s desire these things that last forever! For all that is the world consist of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life and loving the world voids us of the love of the Father (1 John 2:15). What we ask depicts the condition of our heart (Luke 6:45). As parents we also know what our children’s priorities are and hopefully we have the wisdom to give them things they asked for concerns their long term good.

The account continues in 1 Kings 3 of the first test of the wisdom Solomon asked for. It was the test of two women. What lessons can we draw from this first test of wisdom?

Firstly they were harlots, true wisdom from God is not prejudice it is based on God’s standards and not ours. If you or I sat on that throne that day we would have judge harlots differently because we have our own sense of self righteousness. Yes, Jesus didn’t condemn the adulteress but she was asked to sin no more (John 8:11). Our self righteousness will condemn us (Matt 7:2). Our righteousness is not given ‘free’ just because we claim to be Christians; righteousness is to be desired (Matt 5:6). Let’s be honest with ourselves, how many of us really, truly hunger and thirst for righteousness. Think of the things that we hunger and thirst for and no need to wonder anymore why we are not blessed.

Secondly, having wisdom of God we will be able to divide the truth from a lie. Rev 21:8 tells us the liars shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone. The first judgment of God after Pentecost was the lying to the Holy Spirit. Today lying is not regarded as a deadly sin. People lie to gain things (perhaps to cheat or even career advancement) or lie to get out of trouble. There is a worst thing to get and bigger trouble to face in the final judgment of Christ by being a liar.

Lastly, Solomon revealed the heart. The reaction of the two women to dividing the child shows who the true mother is. Love is stated as one of fruits of the Holy Spirit. The first and greatest commandment also concerns the heart; it’s about Who we should love with ALL our heart. Jesus warns that in the last days iniquity or lawless (those who refuse to obey the laws of God, no room for antinomianism) will abound and hearts of many will grow cold (Matt 24:12). Why? Because there is another love, covetousness is already abounding in books, preaching, ‘prophecies’, conferences, etc (1 Tim 6:10). The message of the church is about the Kingdom of God (Acts 28:31) not about betterment of society, politics, entertainment, etc. Jesus kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) that’s why His disciples are not striving for a better world. Jesus said that if it’s about the world then we as disciple would be fighting for the betterment of this and of that in the world.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(Prov 1:7)

With the increase of iniquity and the devil knowing his end, all the more we require the wisdom of God least we become fools. If we don’t know how to ask for the right thing, i.e. wisdom we can end up like the fool who says in his heart that there is no God (Psa 14:1, 53:1). This is a very strong accusation to declare people as fools, but dear ones, look at it this way. If we are able to do things and changes for the betterment of the world then we really don’t need God, because we have done it.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
(Jas 1:5)

Wisdom is for all of us to ask of God and He will give bountifully. This is one prayer that God will definitely answer but don’t doubt in asking. Solomon didn’t doubt when he had to face to judge the two women, he just gave the correct judgment. Seek the right things first (Matt 6:33) and all the other matters of life that we need will be provided for as He does creation (Matt 6:26). Do we trust God by asking for wisdom above other things?