Stewardship: Day 27
1 Kings 3:5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask! What shall I give you?''
- "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?''
Solomon was given great wisdom from God, and understanding in Godly principles. God’s wisdom is not at all like the world’s wisdom. In fact, it is totally opposite of what the world would think. God says we must give in order to receive. To be prosperous with God you have give away what you have. If you are possessed by your possessions you will never walk in God’s best. You can not be truely prosperous and greedy at the same time.
Solomon was not greedy but had pure motives, and only asked for an understanding heart so that he could rule Israel wisely. If God appeared to you in a dream and asked you this question, “Ask! What shall I give you?” How would you respond? Would you ask for wisdom or would you ask for riches. He certainly could have asked for riches, as God gave him the opportunity. Yet, Solomon only wanted wisdom to properly judge God’s people. Because of His motives, God responded by giving Him both.
- And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
- Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12. "behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13. "And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
Our motives matter to God. We may be able to hide our true motives from other men but not from God. God gives wealth for this purpose, to establishing His Covenant.
Confession:
I keep my heart and motives pure before God. I seek to establish His Covenant here on the Earth.