If you were granted three wishes, for what would you wish? Would you wish for the eradication of global poverty? Would you wish for financial security? Would you wish for good looks, good health, and long life? The question itself isn’t as important as how we answer the question; for our answers reveal our character and what’s important to us.
Many millennia ago, King Solomon was placed in a “three wishes” predicament, and his response was both surprising and quite revealing.
After firmly establishing the kingdom and faithfully worshiping God, Solomon had a dream in which God appeared to him and asked: “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” King Solomon didn’t choose wealth, riches, security, fame, or the death of his enemies, but he humbly asked for something very practical and unselfish: wisdom and knowledge to lead and govern his people (2 Chronicles 1:10).
The wisdom and knowledge Solomon sought was the ability to discern and judge human affairs faithfully and the practical skills to handle the day-to-day issues of the kingdom. Solomon’s humble request revealed a selfless character, the alignment of his heart with God’s heart, and his desire to serve others more than an appetite to serve himself. In the end, because Solomon’s request pleased God, He not only granted his request for wisdom, but He also gave Solomon more than what he asked for—wealth, riches, and fame (2 Chronicles 1:11-12, 14-17).
Jesus gives us a guideline on how to respond to the “three wishes” scenario: “Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). When we seek to place God in charge of our lives, His desires become our desires, and we will refine our requests to please Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 5:1-16
More:
Read Proverbs 3:13-18. Why is seeking wisdom better than pursuing possessions?
Next:
Think of your prayer requests to God over the past week. What do they reveal about your character? How can you refine your requests to God to make them more pleasing to Him?
tom felten on June 28, 2013 at 8:21 am
Marvin, as I think about the truths of Matthew 6:33, I’m reminded of how well it fits together with Matthew 7:7-8; “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Again, the more we’re seeking God and His kingdom “above all else,” the more our requests will jibe with God’s heart and will!
ruth o'reilly-smith on July 3, 2013 at 7:59 am
Thanks for this Marvin. It’s a powerful reminder in our insatiably materialistic world. I grew up often reading Matthew 6:33; it was on a wooden plaque in our house and was my folks’ favourite scripture and a great reminder to a large family of five children, to focus on what was most important.
winn collier on July 3, 2013 at 5:36 pm
I know what question I’ll pose to the family at dinner tonight. Thank you.